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Lizards and humans 'share sleep patterns'
australian dragon
Lizard sleep appears to be much simpler, which could mean it is closer to the ancestral mode of brain sleep.
REM and slow wave sleep could date back 230 million years

Lizards share sleep patterns with humans, scientists have said, as they described rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and slow wave sleep in a reptile for the first time.

Behavioural sleep is seen in all animals, from humans to insects, but in people, sleep is characterised by periods of slow wave brain activity followed by short phases of REM sleep. These electrical features are not well understood and had previously only been described in humans and birds.

Writing in the journal Science, a research team from the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Germany described REM and slow wave sleep in an Australian dragon (Pogona vitticeps).

Lizard sleep patterns were found to share many common features with mammals, including a phase characterised by low frequency/high amplitude average brain activity and rare and bursty neuronal firing (slow wave sleep). Another phase was characterised by awake-like brain activity and rapid eye movements. During slow wave sleep, coordinated activity of cortex with another area was seen. In mammals, that other area is the hippocampus, while in lizards it was the so-called dorsal ventricular ridge.

Some interesting differences were also seen. Lizard sleep rhythms were very regular and fast and the sleep cycle lasted for about 80 seconds, compared to 30 minutes in cats and 60-90 minutes in humans.

In lizards, the duration of REM and slow wave sleep are roughly equal in each cycle, but in mammals, REM is much shorter than slow wave. Both are short and irregular in birds.

On the whole lizard sleep appears to be much simpler, which could mean it is closer to the ancestral mode of brain sleep. Scientists believe it is likely to point towards common origins for mammals, reptiles and birds, rather than a separate, convergent evolution. REM and slow wave sleep may therefore be traced back at least 230 million years to the common ancestor of reptiles, birds and mammals.

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Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.