Reconstruction of phylogenetic history of Boreoeutherian mammals

Our reconstructions resolve the interordinal relationships within Laurasiatheria and corroborate the clades Scrotifera, Fereuungulata, and Cetartiodactyla. Furthermore, we tested alternative topologies within Laurasiatheria, and among alternatives for the phylogenetic position of Perissodactyla, a sister-group relationship with Cetartiodactyla receives the highest support. Thus, Pegasoferae (Perissodactyla + Carnivora + Pholidota + Chiroptera) does not appear to be a natural group.

Molecular mechanism of adaptation and anti-aging in long-lived mammals

Functional genomic analyses reveal that amino acid substitutions at ‘disease-causing’ sites are widespread in the rodent genomes and that identical substitutions in long-lived rodents are associated with common adaptive phenotypes, e.g. enhanced resistance to DNA damage and cellular stress.