Genetic Convergent Evolution: Stunning Gene Similarities Among Diverse Animals

Toe, The writes "It has long been understood that completely different animals can end up with very similar traits (convergent evolution), and even that genes can converge. But a new study shows an unbelievable level of convergence among entire groups of genes. The study shows that animals as diverse as bats and dolphins, which independently developed echolocation, converge in nearly 200 different genomic regions concentrated in several 'hearing genes.' The implications are rather deep, if you think about it, delving into interesting limitations on diversity or insights into the potential of DNA. And perhaps more importantly, this finding goes a long way toward explaining why almost aliens in the universe look surprisingly identical to humans (though still doesn't explain why they all speak English)."

Comments

Random (letter) selection

[Empiric]

''We had expected to find identical changes in maybe a dozen or so genes but to see nearly 200 is incredible,'' explains Dr Joe Parker, from Queen Mary's School of Biological and Chemical Sciences and first author on the paper.

Yes, truly IncreDible.