Sign in

Mike Martin

@museumevogen.bsky.social
93 followers 109 following 10 posts
PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Mike Martin
Genome Biology and Evolution @genomebiolevol.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Casillas et al. investigated the genetic basis of a unique longitudinal dorsal stripe pattern in adders from Gossa Island, identifying a significantly differentiated genomic region containing PMEL and a missense variant in this gene. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evag144 #societyjournal #genome #colour
GBE | Genome Scanning Reveals the Genetic Basis of a Color Pattern Morphotype in an Island Population of the European Adder (Vipera berus)

A Eurasian adder (Vipera berus) mother showing a striped dorsal color pattern and her striped and zig-zag offspring. Photo credit: 2017 Kjeld Henrik Ophus.
135
Mike Martin @museumevogen.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
THANK YOU to Dr. Vanessa Bieker for her excellent work, and the ‘dream team’ including: @jleebensmack.bsky.social @pablovargas1111.bsky.social @pjaramillod.bsky.social @plantdevo.bsky.social @naturalselection.bsky.social @mfmazuecos.bsky.social @jazminrm.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
The genomic basis of adaptive leaf variation in the Galápagos giant daisies - Nature Communications
The Scalesia plant radiation displays striking leaf-shape variation within Galápagos microclimates. Genome-wide analyses shows that lobed leaves evolved repeatedly through diversifying selection on di...
041
Mike Martin @museumevogen.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Big takeaway #4: Populations show strong genetic structure + long-term isolation → widespread incipient speciation ➡️ Many “species” may contain multiple lineages ➡️ Conservation should treat populations as distinct units It was a big team effort—thanks to the many wonderful co-authors 🙌
110
Mike Martin @museumevogen.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Big takeaway #3: Selection acted on different targets within a particular repeated leaf developmental regulatory network (adaxial–abaxial polarity), not on a single “master” gene. ➡️ Multiple entry points into the same phenotype ➡️ Consistent with network/“omnigenic” architectures
100
Mike Martin @museumevogen.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Big takeaway #2: Same trait, different genes: leaf lobing evolved multiple times independently—but via different genes within the same developmental pathway. ➡️ Phenotypic convergence ➡️ Distinct genetic routes
110
Mike Martin @museumevogen.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Big takeaway #1: Adaptive radiation doesn’t always require lots of new, de-novo mutation. Despite large their phenotypic diversity, different species not strongly differentiated. Evolution repeatedly drew on overlapping genetic variation during Scalesia’s rapid diversification.
110
Mike Martin @museumevogen.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
We have a new paper out on one of evolution’s “classic” systems: Galápagos Scalesia plants! 🌿 How do you generate huge differences in leaf shape across species in <1 million years? We combined genomics + morphology + transcriptomics across the full radiation 👇
143
Mike Martin @museumevogen.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Big takeaway #2: Same trait, different genes: leaf lobing evolved multiple times independently—but via different genes within the same developmental pathway. ➡️ Convergent phenotype ➡️ Distinct genetic routes
000
Mike Martin @museumevogen.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Big takeaway #1: Adaptive radiation doesn’t always require lots of new, de-novo mutation. Despite large their phenotypic diversity, different species not strongly differentiated. Evolution repeatedly drew on overlapping genetic variation during Scalesia’s rapid diversification.
110
Reposted by Mike Martin
Hannes Schroeder @bitesizedna.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
What happens when violence targets the future of a society? Our new paper in Nature Human Behaviour examines one of Europe’s largest prehistoric mass graves and finds evidence for selective violence directed against women and children in the Early Iron Age. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
A large mass grave from the Early Iron Age indicates selective violence towards women and children in the Carpathian Basin - Nature Human Behaviour
In this analysis of biomolecular and archaeological data from a ninth-century BCE mass grave in the Carpathian Basin, Fibiger et al. find evidence for the targeted killing of mostly unrelated women an...
0128
Reposted by Mike Martin
Christina Warinner @christinawarinner.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
So I was honored with the AAAS Sussman award for scientific contributions to anthropology AND I made the Sen.Ted Cruz all-star list of questionable projects that promote woke DEI and neo-marxist propaganda all in one week! www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
thecrimson.com
Senate Committee Targets $3 Million in Harvard NSF Research Grants for ‘Far-Left Ideology’ | News | The Harvard Crimson
A Senate Commerce Committee report released last week labeled more than $3 million in federal grants to Harvard researchers as advancing DEI initiatives or “neo-Marxist class warfare propaganda."
5187
Mike Martin @museumevogen.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
wow. a big honor on both accounts. congratulations. in all seriousness though, I am sorry to hear that you too have been directly targeted ...
010
Mike Martin @museumevogen.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
It's a bad and backwards-looking law. The talent exodus from Norway has already begun! "The impact of the law could be considerable. In 2022, around 44% of PhD candidates and 74% of postdoctoral fellows at Norwegian higher-education institutions came from abroad." www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Scientists fight Norway’s language law, warning of talent exodus
Mandatory language courses for foreign researchers could harm Norway’s ability to attract the best talent, Nobel laureate says, as rule prompts legal challenge.
020