Handedness in Primates and other Animals...

My presentation topic in New Scientist!

Mutations in DCC Cause Congenital Mirror Movements

A study of congenital mirror movements in two families in which the condition is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Affected individuals had protein-truncating mutations on the DCC gene, and it appears that DCC plays an important role in the lateralization of the human nervous system.

Neanderthals may have interbred with humans...

Nature's overview of a genetic analysis, apparently on its way to publication, suggesting that Neanderthals interbred with humans. Includes a heartwarming image of an "interspecies love child."

Alternative Explanations for Speciation

Proboscis Monkeys

Proboscis Monkeys are also known as "monyet belanda," meaning "Dutch monkey" to Indonesians. They have large noses and bellies. Apparently, so did the first Dutch plantation owners to colonize Indonesia.

Also check out a monkey jumping across a river in the Youtube clip at the end of the page.

Pathogens and genetic diversity

An interesting review paper.

Adaptation and the genetics of social behaviour

This article doesn't directly relate to primates. Rather, Keller reviews some recent research on the genetic basis of social behavior in ants. It's an interesting read (ants are cool little buggers) and he argues in the conclusion that we need to try to bridge the gap between invertebrate and vertebrate studies in the genetic basis of social behavior.