Here we have a situation in "evolution" that's really troublesome. Mice and men have essentially the same number and type of genes.
Whales and bats are essentially indistinguishable from mice and men, rats, bats, horses, pigs and monkeys at the genetic level.
Given that genes were acceped as the likely geerators of "characteristics" I'd suggest that particular thesis may be in grave danger and should be questioned.
I’m not questioning your thesis. I’m questioning your methodology.