NZ scientists: warm-climate animals evolve faster

For immediate release

NZ scientists surprise biologists with finding that warm-climate animals are evolving faster

Two separate projects supported by the Māori Centre of Research Excellence are published by the British Royal Society on the same day

Auckland 26 June 2009: Unexpected findings by a team of New Zealand researchers that mammals evolve faster in warmer temperatures have been hailed by international commentators as confounding previous views on how species evolve.

Where previous work by members of the New Zealand team had shown that plants evolve faster in warm climates it had previously been thought this would not apply to mammals as they can regulate their own body temperatures. But, reported in the prestigious British Proceedings of the Royal Society today, the new research confirmed that at a genetic level selection is faster where the climate is warm.

Led by AUT University evolutionary biologist Dr Len Gillman, the team included researchers from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland, including Dr Shane Wright, whose earlier work was highly influential in establishing differing evolution rates between plants in different climates.

Dr Wright’s work has been supported by Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, the Māori Centre of Research Excellence. And on the same day as carrying this research the Royal Society has reported a separate piece of research also supported by the Centre by Professor Michael Walker and Dr Cordula Mora at the University of Auckland showing how pigeons navigate using magnetic fields.

The latest pieces of research have already been reported on by international media including the BBC, The Telegraph and New Scientist.

In responding to the latest research, international media have reported scientists as saying the new work on evolutionary rates of change opens new challenges in explaining how evolution works.

Dr Wright, who is of Te Ati Hau, Ngāti Tuwharetoa descent, is also involved in promoting wider Māori and Pacific Island participation in the sciences. “A lot of what Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga does is about directly targeting gains for Māori communities, and I really support that. But what I think this sort of success does also is help spread awareness of how Mäori are contributing in all sorts of areas.

“I’m really thrilled to be part of that, especially as we are seeing some strong progress in Māori involvement in the sciences. “

Professor Walker, who is co-director of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, said that seeing both pieces of research in the Proceedings on the same day was a welcome marker of just how much is being achieved.

He said he looked forward to the day when the Māori contribution in research would equal their contribution in sport and the performing arts.

“In their own ways I think each of these pieces of research invite us to take a new look at how patterns are working in nature. It is a real boost to see the recognition they have achieved and to also see further confirmation of the contribution work supported by the Centre is making at home and internationally.

Editors notes:

Please also refer to:

 Release issued yesterday (attached) NZ scientists crack another layer in mystery of pigeon navigation

 Release being issued by AUT today “Kiwi research overturns international theories on evolution”

The papers are on the Royal Society website at: http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/firstcite

Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga
Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga is New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence. It supports Māori scholars, community members and international academics in engaging in research and its applications. It accelerates the growth in numbers of Māori researchers conducting research in ways that genuinely engage with diverse Māori communities to benefit Māori and all New Zealanders.
www.maramatanga.co.nz

ENDS

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