Greater horseshoe batsGARETH JONESBats and dolphins each evolved echolocation systems independently. But despite the different origins and mechanisms of their sonar senses, similar genes appear to be involved. Now, a report published today (September 4) in Nature reveals that the extent of such genetic convergence is more widespread than originally thought, with evidence of similar sequence changes across bat and dolphin genomes.
“This is a great example of how taking a genomic approach really can tell you a lot about . . . how organisms adapt in general, and how big a proportion of the genes can be affected by an individual’s environment and their adaptation to it,” said Judith Mank, chair of evolutionary and comparative biology at University College London, who was not involved in the study. “I was really surprised by the degree of convergence,” she said.
Bats and toothed whales, the phylogenetic order to which dolphins belong, diverged from one another approximately 80 million years ago. Since then, both have evolved echolocation—a system of emitting and receiving sound waves that enables the animals to locate objects and prey.
Even within the bat family echolocation ...
