Evolutionary Genetics of the Senses
A public lecture by Dr. Brenda Bradley (Yale)
Time: November 28, 2011 at Noon
Location: Student Activity Center 5.118
Abstract: The letter code of the human genome is 98.8% identical to that of the chimpanzee. Initial studies comparing these genomes found that many of the genes at which humans and chimpanzees show interesting differences are genes involved in sensory perception. Thus, the evolutionary biology of our senses is an important aspect of our ‘genetic uniqueness’. Research in my lab examines genetic diversity within and across primate species focusing, in part, on the genetics of sensory ecology. In this talk, I will try to provide a general overview of current research on the evolutionary genetics of primate sensory ecology, while highlighting some on-going projects in my lab on primate color vision and taste perception.
Select recent publications
Bradley BJ & Lawler RR, 2011. Linking genotypes, phenotypes, and fitness in wild primate populations. Evolutionary Anthropology, Volume 20, Issue 3, pages 104–119.
Kamilar JM & Bradley BJ, 2011. Countershading is related to positional behavior in primates. Journal of Zoology, Volume 283, Issue 4, pages 227–233.
Bradley BJ, Pedersen A, Mundy NI. 2009. Blue eyes in lemurs and humans: Same phenotype, different genetic mechanism. American Journal of Physical Anthropology. Volume 139, pages 269-273.