Evolution of digestive enzymes and dietary diversification in birds

Evolution of Digestive Enzymes and RNASE1 Provides Insights into Dietary Switch of Cetaceans

Although cetaceans (whales, porpoises, and dolphins) have multi-chambered stomachs, feeding habits of modern cetaceans have dramatically changed from herbivorous to carnivorous. However, the genetic basis underlying this dietary switch remains unexplored. Here, we present the first systematic investigation of 10 digestive enzymes genes (i.e., CYP7A1, CTRC, LIPC, LIPF, PNLIP, PGC, PRSS1, SI, SLC...

Characteristics of some digestive enzymes in sobaity, Sparidentex hasta

Background: Determination of digestive enzymes activity would provide critical information in the design of appropriate diet. Sobaity, Sparidentex hasta is found in the Persian Gulf and  cultured in countries adjacent to it. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated proteolytic, amylase and lipase activities in the intestine of Sparidentex hasta captured from the  Persian Gulf. METHODS: 60 immature S...

Conservation of digestive enzymes.

The traditional understanding is that an entirely new complement of digestive enzymes is secreted by the pancreas into the small intestines with each meal. This is thought to be necessary because, like food itself, these enzymes are degraded during digestion. In this review we discuss experiments that bring this point of view into question. They suggest that digestive enzymes can be absorbed in...

Brain Size and Evolutionary Diversification in Birds

The Origin and Diversification of Birds

Birds are one of the most recognizable and diverse groups of modern vertebrates. Over the past two decades, a wealth of new fossil discoveries and phylogenetic and macroevolutionary studies has transformed our understanding of how birds originated and became so successful. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs during the Jurassic (around 165-150 million years ago) and their classic small, light...