Our analysis also represents the first report of HGT of proteins involved in epigenetic control from animal provenance into slime molds.
Our detection of the GHH domain in the Teneurin/Odd Oz proteins establishes that they have emerged from the single transfer of a specific type of a complete bacterial polymorphic toxin gene followed by its fusion to EGF repeats of animal provenance.
Until now, only three cases had been identified, in laboratory animals of uncertain provenance.
And these, paradoxically, may be more useful.Alexander Liu of Oxford University and his colleagues took an interest in Mistaken Point because it is a site known for so-called Ediacaran fossils, shell-less animals of unknown provenance that slightly predate the Cambrian.
Samples were obtained from both captive animals of unknown provenance as well as wild-caught specimens from known geographic origin (Table 1).
Morphologically it was assigned full species status in an earlier study [ 7]. T. graeca shows variable colouring and patterning, which are greatly influenced by environmental factors and make subspecies identification difficult [ 12], especially in captive animals of unknown provenance.
Little is known about the animal, and its provenance and distinction from "Ekbletomys hypenemus", an even larger extinct oryzomyine that also occurred on Barbuda, have been called into question.
By contrast, genomic studies often rely on zoo animals with unknown population provenance (if wild-born) or apply a limited sampling schema (e.g. [ 48]), and thus there are likely inherent sampling biases.
Go organic, or check that the animal is of assured provenance.
"I also want to encourage anyone who is thinking of buying an exotic pet, like a snake, to ensure they are provided proof of the provenance of the animal so they are not inadvertently supporting this cruel trade.
