Pondering the origins of #morphology in the #Ediacaran period. There was an article posted yesterday about how different features of organisms seem linked, talking about fern vascular structures and leaves and stuff. The way that kind of thing happens probably started 600 million years ago. Just one of the things I like to think about.
#evolution #paleontology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ediacaran_biota#Morphology
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@travisfw Dou you have a link to the article?
@bewitchedmind yeah I found it a little later. It was from @TheConversationUS with the somewhat ridiculous title, "Why aren’t there square trees or mammals with wheels," two questions with entirely different answers that are not at all explored in the article.
https://newsie.social/@TheConversationUS/115614744664493541
@bewitchedmind But the "limits and possibilities of evolution" bring my mind back to the first multicellular organisms and the origin of symmetry, for eg, Bilateria. What if pentaradially symmetrical animals like sea stars had been more successful? Would there be ten-legged dogs and cats?
@travisfw Nice idea, but I guess that works best on the sea floor. Six legs might be an option though, as it works well with insects
@bewitchedmind I think the slow smell-based navigation of sea stars is a big aspect of the pentaradial paradigm. I could imagine it working on land, but I can't imagine it competing very well on speed except maybe leaping and gliding like a frisbee. I also just learned that sea stars are Bilateria too, so now I don't even know of an example.