Evolution of New Physical Traits in Mollusks has Declined and Grown More Predictable Over Time (IMAGE)
Caption
Mollusks have produced many evolutionary innovations since they first appeared 540 million years ago, including spiral shells and a toothed tongue. A new study shows that about half of these innovations evolved in the first 96 million years and the pace has since slowed down. These observations give us insight into how evolution proceeds in other animals and plants over long periods of time. (Golden apple snails in a UC Davis lab.)
Credit
Alice Accorsi, UC Davis
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