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Published online 13 October 2006 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news061009-12
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One gene between tiny dogs and giant ones?
Size study highlights possibilities of the dog genome.
A single gene may explain the vast size difference between that tiny terrier yapping in the park and the massive mastiff ignoring the din.
Nate Sutter, a geneticist at the National Human Genome Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, wanted to know the reason why big dogs, such as Irish wolfhounds, can grow up to 50 times larger than other members of their own species, such as chihuahuas.
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