Adaptive molecular convergence more common than previously thought, distant jellyfish relatives reveal
Researchers have discovered that adaptive molecular convergence—where unrelated species evolve identical genetic changes—is more common than previously believed. By studying jellyfish genomes, scientists found evidence of these genetic parallels across 600 million years of evolution.
Why it matters
This finding challenges existing theories about the predictability of evolution and the relationship between genetic changes and physical traits.
by Sonia Fernandez, University of California - Santa Barbara
edited by Swati Mestri , reviewed by Robert Egan
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add to Preferred Sources Convergent character transitions have occurred dozens of times across 680 My of medusozoan evolution. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2616248123 A new study has found that adaptive molecular convergence—the process by which distantly related or unrelated species evolve the same genomic changes—is not as rare as previously thought.
By reconstructing and studying sections of jellyfish genomes from the deep past, researchers found evidence of identical genetic changes in multiple lineages separated by more than 600 million years.
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