Lectures given on Equid/Primate genetics

Last week I had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Ollie Ryder, a geneticist with the San Diego Zoo, speak at two lectures. The first, given at Washington University, was solely on equids and focused on the lineage and physiology of the Przewalski's Horse; a species of horse found in Mongolia. This lecture connected the history of the wild equid and domesticated horse with the differences in genetics found between the two (for instance, a Przewalski's Horse has 66 chromosome, a domestic horse has 64. A hybrid will have 65.) The second lecture given at the zoo was about both equids and primates. While both lectures were fascinating I do have to admit I was lost in the terminology at some points probably due to the fact I'm still a young student. I think perhaps I would have gotten more out of the lectures if I had been closer to finishing my degree or already been a graduate but none the less I'm glad I attended both.