Who Came First: Sponges or Comb Jellies?
Scientists have debated for years about which animal lineage appeared first on Earth. Was it the humble sponge or the dazzling comb jelly? Thanks to the brilliant work of HHMI Investigator Nicole King and her team, we now have a much clearer answer.
Groundbreaking Method Unveils the Oldest Animal Ancestor
Nicole King’s team used a cutting-edge method to analyze evolutionary relationships. Their findings strongly support the hypothesis that sponges sit at the root of the animal tree of life. That’s right—the simple, unassuming sponge beat out the showy, shimmering comb jelly in the race for the title of “Earth’s First Animal.”
It turns out, sponges are the OGs of the animal kingdom. Who knew that something we use to scrub our dishes could be such a superstar in evolutionary history? Sorry, comb jellies, but you’ll have to glow in the evolutionary spotlight another day.
Why Does This Matter?
Understanding which animal group evolved first isn’t just a quirky science fact. It helps us piece together how complex life evolved on our planet. Plus, it’s a reminder that even the simplest creatures can have the most epic origin stories.
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