Meet mankind's newest relative: a mudworm in a Swedish fjord

The Independent (U.K.) ^ | 08/21/03 | Steve Connor

[Pokey78]

At just over an inch long, the mudworm may not look like much but scientists have discovered it has the same evolutionary lineage as humans.

A DNA study has revealed that a worm found living at the bottom of a Swedish fjord shared an ancestor with Homo sapiens 500 million years ago. In fact, the creature, known by its Latin name Xenoturbella bocki,is more closely related to human beings than shellfish.

Xenoturbella, or "strange flatworm", is not immediately recognisable as a relative. It has a primitive body plan with no proper sex organs, gut, excretory system or brain. Scientists previously thought it belonged to the same group as bivalve molluscs because it carried mollusc eggs, but in fact it had eaten them.

Max Telford, from Cambridge University, who led the British and Dutch team, said: "We have now been able to show that, amongst all of the invertebrates that exist, Xenoturbella is one of our very closest relatives. It is fascinating to think that whatever long-dead animal this simple worm evolved from, so did we."

The animal kingdom is divided into three main groups of species: ecdysozoa, animals with a sheddable outer layer; trochozoa, comprising molluscs and earthworms; and deuterostomes, including vertebrates, such as humans, and starfish, sea urchins and certain marine worms.

The research, published in the journal Nature, categorises the mudworm as a deuterostome. "Xenoturbella has joined a pretty exclusive group of species," Dr Telford said.

Scientists hope the worm will give them a better understanding of vertebrate evolution. It may help researchers to characterise the common ancestor, thought to have lived 500 million years ago.

[Pokey78]

The missing link between the Swedish mudworm & humans:

[Sam Cree]

Oh cool, thanks alot for posting this!

[martin_fierro]

More closely-related to some than others.

[Gwaihir]

Wow! I use to be skeptical of evolution, but how can I doubt it now? Mudworms! Its so obvious! And in less time than anyone ever imagined! I think I'll go open a bottle of champaign. With any luck my Korbel has evolved into Dom P.

[Fzob]

It has a primitive body plan with no proper sex organs, gut, excretory system or brain.

[Mears]

I always felt like a Swede,now I kmow why!We're related!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Actually HE does have a gut...

[Fzob]

Actually HE does have a gut...

True, but it's not very proper.

[Robert A Cook PE]

In a related story, Hillary returns from a book tour of Sweden.

Claims her pen got waterlogged.

[ibtheman]

500 millions years ago! The stupidity of educated people! people that really believe in this believe we have come from a rock! Evolution is not a science, it is a religion, theories with no science to prove it!

[Sam Cree]

"Evolution is not a science, it is a religion"

That sounds like moral equivalence.

[dvan]

"it has the same evolutionary lineage as humans."

This is fantastic! We now have conclusive evidence on the Evolution of Liberals! Now all we have to do is sterlize the worms and no more Liberals!! LOL!

[Sam Cree]

"Now all we have to do is sterlize the worms and no more Liberals!! LOL!"

Yeah! Or go fishing and use 'em for bait.

[RightWhale]

Evolution is not a science

True. It is both a theory and a method.

[NewLand]

"It is fascinating to think that whatever long-dead animal this simple worm evolved from, so did we."

It's amazing that "scientists" can just say anything with impunity, based on unproven observations... then hide behind the word 'theory'!

I say "speak for yourself, Dr Fish Bait"!

[michigander]

the mudworm may not look like much but scientists have discovered it has the same evolutionary lineage as humans.

Bro....

[NewLand]

Evolution is not a science, it is a religion, theories with no science to prove it!

Agreed!

But watch out...soon this thread will become the equivalent of "Night of the Living Dead"!!! And you will be the target of...

can't say...they might hear me

[RightWhale]

500 million years ago. In fact, the creature, known by its Latin name Xenoturbella bocki

If DNA changes, evolves 1% every million years, then this creature would be 500% different from us. If you go back far enough, we are related to green plants. But at least we're still naming the creatures as commanded.

[Maria S]

Oh, Great! Now I'll have somebody sending me to ANOTHER website that explains how I'm kin to a flatworm! The ape/monkey thing was bad enough!

[shaggy eel]

Max Telford, from Cambridge University, who led the British and Dutch team, said: "We have now been able to show that, amongst all of the invertebrates that exist, Xenoturbella is one of our very closest relatives. It is fascinating to think that whatever long-dead animal this simple worm evolved from, so did we."

,,, now, let's open it to the panel. I'd recommend the worms be served in a cheese sause with bacon bits.