The 10 extant species of emydine turtles represent an array of morphological and ecological forms recognizable and popular among scientists and hobbyists. Nevertheless, the phylogenetic affinities of most emydines remain contentious. Here, we examine the evolutionary relationships of emydine turtles using 2092 bp of DNA encoding the mitochondrial genes cyt b, ND4, and adjacent tRNAs. These data...

An epidemic of leukemia among bivalve molluscs is spreading along the Atlantic coast of North America, with a serious population decline of soft-shelled clams. In this issue of Cell, Metzger et al. use forensic DNA markers to demonstrate that the leukemia cells have a clonal origin and appear to be transmitted through sea water.

Abstract Despite only comprising seven species, extant sea turtles (Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae) display great ecological diversity, with most species inhabiting a unique dietary niche as adults. This adult diversity is remarkable given that all share the same juveniles. These ontogenetic shifts in diet, well dramatic increase body size, make an excellent group to examine how morphological a...