Specialized Adaptations Aren't Evolutionary Dead-Ends, Study Claims
Friday, March 12, 2010 - 14:35
in Paleontology & Archaeology
A study of blind scorpions published in Cladistics is challenging the long-held assumption that specialized adaptations are irreversible, evolutionary dead-ends. According to the new phylogenetic analysis of the family Typhlochactidae, scorpions currently living closer to the surface (under stones and in leaf litter) evolved independently on more than one occasion from ancestors adapted to life further below the surface (in caves). Scorpions are predatory, venomous, nocturnal arachnids that are related to spiders, mites, and other arthropods. About 2,000 species are distributed throughout the world, but only 23 species found in ten different families are adapted to a permanent life in caves. These are the specialized troglobites. read more
Read the whole article on Scientific Blogging
More from Scientific Blogging
Related
- Phylogenetic analysis of Mexican cave scorpions suggests adaptation to caves is reversableFri, 12 Mar 2010, 11:10:37 EST
- Genetic analysis reveals secrets of scorpion venomWed, 1 Jul 2009, 0:43:36 EDT
- Scorpion venom -– bad for bugs, good for pesticidesWed, 27 Apr 2011, 16:03:30 EDT
- Genetic sex determination let ancient species adapt to ocean lifeWed, 16 Sep 2009, 14:25:15 EDT
- Microscopic morphology adds to the scorpion family treeMon, 12 Jan 2009, 12:35:55 EST