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Convergent evolution: the need to be explicit

R F Doolittle1

  • 1Center for Molecular Genetics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0634.

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|January 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Molecular evolution discussions are often confused by convergence. This study clarifies that while functional, mechanistic, and structural convergence are observed, genuine sequence convergence lacks strong evidence.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Evolution
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Convergence is a frequently discussed phenomenon in molecular evolution.
  • Discussions are often unclear due to imprecise definitions of convergence.
  • Distinguishing between different types of convergence is crucial for accurate evolutionary analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clarify the concept of convergence in molecular evolution.
  • To differentiate between functional, mechanistic, structural, and sequence convergence.
  • To evaluate the evidence for different types of molecular convergence.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and conceptual analysis of convergence in molecular evolution.
  • Examination of existing studies on functional, mechanistic, and structural convergence.

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  • Critical assessment of evidence supporting sequence convergence.

    • Main Results:

    • Functional and mechanistic convergence are well-documented in molecular evolution.
    • Some evidence suggests the possibility of structural convergence.
    • A convincing case for genuine sequence convergence has not yet been established.

    Conclusions:

    • Precise definitions are essential for clear discussions on molecular convergence.
    • While functional and mechanistic convergence are common, sequence convergence remains unproven.
    • Further research is needed to definitively assess the occurrence of sequence convergence in molecular evolution.