Humans related to humble mud worm
It doesn't look like us but we share DNA with the worm
This brainless mud worm is a long-lost relative of human beings, scientists have discovered.
It appears the slug-like creature found living at the bottom of a Swedish lake shares its ancestry with people.
It does not have a brain or even sex organs and scientists are baffled about how the Xenoturbella procreates.
However, researchers at Cambridge University are convinced it shares DNA with humans.
The Xenoturbella was originally thought to be related to bivalve molluscs, such as mussels and oysters.
Dr Max Telford, from Cambridge University, who led the British and Dutch team, said: "We found this hard to believe as it looks nothing like a bivalve mollusc.
Mehr bei der Quelle:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3170245.stm
It doesn't look like us but we share DNA with the worm
This brainless mud worm is a long-lost relative of human beings, scientists have discovered.
It appears the slug-like creature found living at the bottom of a Swedish lake shares its ancestry with people.
It does not have a brain or even sex organs and scientists are baffled about how the Xenoturbella procreates.
However, researchers at Cambridge University are convinced it shares DNA with humans.
The Xenoturbella was originally thought to be related to bivalve molluscs, such as mussels and oysters.
Dr Max Telford, from Cambridge University, who led the British and Dutch team, said: "We found this hard to believe as it looks nothing like a bivalve mollusc.
Mehr bei der Quelle:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3170245.stm