Jellyfish relatives evolved identical genetic changes 600 million…

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorResearchers found identical genetic changes in jellyfish relatives separated by more than six hundred million years, the science site Phys.org reports.

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   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorBiologists thought that was a rare curiosity. Now it's everywhere, and I find that very reassuring, in a bleak sort of way.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo we're giving them an award. BBN's Animal of the Day goes to the Medusozoa, the jellyfish group.

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   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorOfficial title: Most Likely to Repeat Themselves Across Six Hundred Million Years Without Telling Anyone.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorStat line. Eyes evolved more than once. Free-swimming stage lost more than once. Lessons learned, none.

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   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThey lost swimming. A jellyfish. More than once.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe researchers say the genetic changes didn't predictably match the physical ones. So even the jellyfish don't know why.

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   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSenior author Todd Oakley says evolution may be more repeatable, and maybe more predictable, than we expected. I could have told him that.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTo the jellyfish: you did the same thing twice, six hundred million years apart. We're proud of you, and a bit tired.

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    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorEvolution got the same answer twice, Dale, and you haven't once.