So apparently we’ve all evolved from the sister of the humble sponge (some more than others, Mr President)

“A longstanding row in animal evolution has come to a head, with a team of scientists claiming they have ended the debate over which type of creature is the sister of all other animals.

Researchers have been torn for years over whether sponges or marine invertebrates known as comb jellies were the first type of creature to branch off the evolutionary tree from the common ancestor of all animals.

Now researchers say the debate is over: the sponges have won.”

This is the opening of a fascinating piece in today’s “Guardian” newspaper. Of course, not everyone believes in evolution, so I’ve summarised the evidence for it here.


 




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