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A new genetic analysis supports the hypothesis that sponges were the first animals on Earth. Researchers from MIT and the University of California, Berkeley, discovered unique biomarkers and conducted a comprehensive gene study, with 62% of tests supporting sponges as the earliest animals.
Debates between supporters of sponges and comb jellies have lasted over a decade, as the answer affects our understanding of how complex animal systems evolved. If comb jellies came first, ancient animals already had muscles and neurons; if sponges came first, complexity evolved gradually.
“Our study doesn’t settle the debate entirely, but it provides strong evidence supporting the hypothesis that sponges evolved first,” said study co-author Nicole King.
