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Animal origins shift to comb jellies

Genetic data confirm the marine predators have more ancient origin than simpler sponges

DEEP ROOTS  The comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi rests at the base of the tree of animal life, according to analyses of its genome. 

Courtesy of Stefan Siebert/Brown Univ.

By Amy Maxmen

- More than 2 years ago

Complex marine creatures called comb jellies should replace brainless, gutless, simple sponges at the base of the evolutionary animal tree of life, a new report asserts.