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Evolutionary complexity is often assumed to increase, but evidence is impressionistic. This study proposes a new scheme for objectively measuring complexity, revealing four independent types and their evolutionary trends in metazoans.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Paleontology
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • The concept of increasing complexity in evolution is widely accepted but lacks objective measurement.
  • Existing evidence for evolutionary complexity trends is largely impressionistic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a conceptual scheme for objectively measuring evolutionary complexity.
  • To identify and categorize different types of complexity.
  • To review evidence for trends in evolutionary complexity.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a conceptual scheme for understanding and measuring complexity.
  • Categorization of complexity into four independent types.
  • Review of existing measures and evidence for trends in maximum and mean complexity.

Main Results:

  • The proposed scheme provides a basis for objective measurement of complexity.
  • Complexity encompasses four distinct, independent types.
  • Evidence for evolutionary complexity trends is limited, with a clear trend only observed in early Phanerozoic metazoans for one type of complexity.
  • Trends in other complexity types are documented but only within specific metazoan subgroups.

Conclusions:

  • Objective measurement of evolutionary complexity is possible through a structured scheme.
  • Evolutionary complexity is multifaceted, comprising four independent types.
  • While some complexity trends exist, robust evidence across metazoans is scarce, particularly outside the early Phanerozoic and for specific complexity types.