An organism discovered near Hawaii intrigues researchers. Its behavior could revolutionize our understanding of the beginnings of multicellular life on Earth.
Chromosphaera perkinsiia single-celled algae discovered in 2017, exhibits unusual behavior. Cells form multicellular colonies, reminiscent of early stages of embryonic development animal. These colonies display a organisation unexpected: cells divide without growth, coordinating to adopt three-dimensional shapes. A structure reminiscent of that of modern animal embryos.
This species, which appeared more than a billion years ago, dates back well before the emergence of animals. According to scientists atUniversity of Genevathis phenomenon indicates an ancient origin of embryonic mechanisms.
Genetic analysis, conducted in collaboration with the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, reveals striking similarities between the processes of C. perkinsii and animal embryos. Key genes for multicellular development would therefore have been present for more than a billion years.
This discovery raises fundamental questions. Could the genetic programs of embryos have existed before animals? Or could these algae have developed similar mechanisms independently?
Omaya Dudin, professor at the University of Geneva, believes that the study of C. perkinsii open a window on the transition between vie unicellular and multicellular. This species could be a living relic of a critical stage of evolution. For Marine Olivetta, lead author of the study, this research could also shed light on fossils 600 million years old. These mysterious embryonic forms are perhaps part of a much older history.
Thus, as an embryonic support, the egg, both symbolic and real, would perhaps precede the chicken in the evolutionary records.
What is embryogenesis and why is it essential to understanding evolution?
Embryogenesis is the biological process which allows, from a single cell called a zygote, to form a complex multicellular organism. This mechanism is based on precise steps of division cellular, differentiation and tissue organization.
In animals, embryogenesis follows similar patterns, suggesting a common evolutionary origin. Recent studies show that traces of this process could exist well before the appearance of animals, in unicellular organisms.
Understanding embryogenesis means exploring the foundations of multicellular life. This mechanism reveals how complex beings emerged from unicellular ancestors, paving the way for discoveries about our deep origins.
