Diet played a key role in the evolution of the vast beetle family tree
  • Paragone@lemmy.worldEnglish
    41·
    2 years ago

    My theory is that it’s the possible terrestrial-equivalent to carcination ( the convergent-evolution of “crabs” evolving 6 separate times, in the sea, from different origins ).

    I’ve no idea if cladistics will back that,

    and don’t really care,

    but it seems that convergent-evolution would operate both in the air and in the water, so … possible … why not, eh?

    • mojofrododojo@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      2 years ago

      Yep, success is success, in any medium. convergent evolution can be found wherever we find life, from vents to the upper atmosphere. Terrestrial biology has had four and a half billion years to try everything, and try it in 50 different ages. Where characteristics impart a benefit to passing on genes, it’ll probably find success.

      I wonder after all those billions of years if we’ve had all the options tried, or if we’re just getting going. Probably depends on having a viable ecosystem tho. :|