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Bats and dolphin may go in radically dissimilar worlds , but the fact they both evolved a type of sonar means they resemble each other genetically , researchers now find .
When different species live like life-time , they can evolve similar traits , a phenomenon cognize asconvergent evolution . For instance , dolphins , shark and the extinct marine giants have intercourse as ichthyosaurs all take issue from each other greatly in origin — dolphins are mammals , sharks are fish and ichthyosaurs were reptiles . However , they evolved very standardized body shapes that help oneself them dwell fast lives in the weewee — sleek bod , stabilise dorsal fins and crescent - determine white tie for locomote great speeds over long distances .
Several greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) roost.
lately , scientist found hints that convergent evolution do species to resemble each other not just at the forcible level , but also the genetical one . To find out how capital this effect was , research worker analyzed factor in fauna that severally developedecholocation , the ability to skim the world using audio .
Echolocation is a complex forcible trait involving the propagation and reception of ultrasonic pulses , as well as brain activity to process these signals . This biological interlingual rendition of sonar develop separately in squash racket and dolphin , helping these animals James Henry Leigh Hunt prey and avoid obstacle . [ Deep diver : A Gallery of dolphin ]
The scientist analyzed more than 2,300 genes in 22 mammals . These included the bottlenose dolphinfish , four mintage of echolocating bats , such as the groovy falsevampire batand Parnell ’s mustachioed bat , and two species of nonecholocating bats , the enceinte flying fox and the husk - colour yield bat .
The researcher discovered genetic signatures reproducible with convergence in well-nigh 200 genomic regions when it came to dolphins and echolocating bats . Many of these genes are tie with hearing or hearing loss . These similarities were not see with non - echolocating animals .
" We did n’t require to see more than perhaps 10 to 30 genes meet , credibly mainly hearing - related one , " researcher Joe Parker , an evolutionary biologist at Queen Mary University of London , recount LiveScience . " or else , we were able to find many times that number . "
Unexpectedly , the research worker also find oneself converging in many genes link to vision . This makes sensation , given how bats and dolphin are typically active in dim lighting .
" raw selection can be a very herculean force for regulate genetic sequences , and the outcomes of that process can be very similar , even in unrelated organism , " Parker said .
Future research can examine other convergent traits , such as specialised character of digestion , social behavior , " and most invitingly , potentially advance intelligence , " Parker said .
The scientists detail their findings online Sept. 4 in the journal Nature .
