The evolution of similar traits in different species, a
process known as convergent evolution, is widespread not only at the physical
level, but also at the genetic level, according to new research led by
scientists at Queen Mary University of London and published in Nature this
week.
The scientists investigated the genomic basis for
echolocation, one of the most well-known examples of convergent evolution to
examine the frequency of the process at a genomic level.
Echolocation is a complex physical trait that involves the
production, reception and auditory processing of ultrasonic pulses for
detecting unseen obstacles or tracking down prey, and has evolved separately in
different groups of bats and cetaceans (including dolphins).