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Convergent evolution in invertebrates

J Moore1, P Willmer

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge.

Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
|February 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary
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Animal resemblance is often due to convergent evolution, not common ancestry. This study highlights that convergence is likely underestimated across all taxa, impacting our understanding of evolutionary relationships.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Systematics
  • Zoology

Background:

  • Resemblance between animal taxa can arise from convergent evolution (similar adaptations) or shared ancestry.
  • Distinguishing between these causes is crucial for accurate phylogenetic reconstruction.
  • Traditional taxonomic methods may obscure the prevalence of convergence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of convergent evolution in animal taxa.
  • To evaluate how different taxonomic methods influence the perception of convergence.
  • To explore the utility of morphological and molecular data in resolving evolutionary relationships.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of morphological and molecular characters across various invertebrate and vertebrate taxa.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Critique of cladistic parsimony methods for their potential to minimize convergence.
  • Examination of fossil records and developmental stages for phylogenetic insights.

    • Main Results:

    • Convergence is frequently underestimated, potentially being the more common cause of resemblance.
    • Cladistic analysis, particularly parsimony, can conceal convergence.
    • Re-evaluation of traditional characters (e.g., segmentation, symmetry) reveals multiple origins.
    • Molecular data shows promise but has not resolved major controversies in invertebrate classification.

    Conclusions:

    • Convergent evolution is widespread and significantly underestimated across all taxonomic levels.
    • Morphological character evaluation and integrated approaches (morphological + molecular) are essential for robust phylogenetics.
    • Current taxonomic systems may require revision to account for the high prevalence of convergence.