Ancient Genomic Structures Reveal 600-Million-Year Animal Evolution Pathways

Scientists found evolutionary highways in animal genomes dating back 600 million years

By examining thousands of genomes along with fragments of ancient chromosomes, researchers uncovered the intricate journey of animal evolution. Their findings highlight how chromosomes merged and changed over epochs, with some species retaining ancestral structures while others underwent significant reorganization. Notably, the fusion of chromosomes peaked approximately 550 million years ago, leaving lasting impacts on the genetic frameworks of various animal lineages.

By TOI Science Desk