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Was Your Ancestor a Ball of Jelly? Evolution Study Surprises Experts
National Geographic ^ | December 12, 2013 | Jane J. Lee

Posted on 12/19/2013 11:18:26 AM PST by EveningStar

In a prehistoric version of "the chicken or the egg" question, researchers have long debated which animal group came first. A traditional view pegs sponges—marine creatures that look more like rocks or corals—as our ancient ancestors.

But a new genetic study is stirring the waters, suggesting comb jellies, gelatinous marine animals that look similar to jellyfish, are actually the first animals to have evolved over 600 million years ago.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.nationalgeographic.com ...


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: combjellies; ctenophora; evolution; genetics; godsgravesglyphs; helixmakemineadouble; jellyfish; paleontology
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1 posted on 12/19/2013 11:18:26 AM PST by EveningStar
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To: EveningStar
Heck. I'm a ball of jelly.
2 posted on 12/19/2013 11:19:30 AM PST by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: BenLurkin

LOL!


3 posted on 12/19/2013 11:22:19 AM PST by FlingWingFlyer (Merry Christmas to all my fellow Americans. "Whatever" to everybody else!)
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To: BenLurkin
Heck. I'm a ball of jelly.

My friends call me Smuckers (At least that's what my hard of hearing ears hear)

4 posted on 12/19/2013 11:24:13 AM PST by Starstruck (If my reply offends, you probably don't understand sarcasm or criticism...or do.)
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To: EveningStar

Are they claiming that the very first animals were predators? Because I think I see a problem with that.


5 posted on 12/19/2013 11:27:04 AM PST by ClearCase_guy
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To: EveningStar

If the old family stories are to believed he was likely a bottle of scotch.


6 posted on 12/19/2013 11:29:36 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: EveningStar

dunno about my ancestor... but my president is


7 posted on 12/19/2013 11:30:22 AM PST by sten (fighting tyranny never goes out of style)
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To: ClearCase_guy

“Are they claiming that the very first animals were predators? Because I think I see a problem with that.”

Please! These are EXPERTS talking here.


8 posted on 12/19/2013 11:30:35 AM PST by D_Idaho ("For we wrestle not against flesh and blood...")
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To: EveningStar
"sponges... our ancient ancestors. "

Huh. Not much evolution since then, I guess.

9 posted on 12/19/2013 11:31:44 AM PST by alancarp
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To: EveningStar

Yes, most of my ancestors were Democrats.


10 posted on 12/19/2013 11:33:24 AM PST by Huskrrrr
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To: alancarp

Elaine worries if this is true all men are sponge worthy.


11 posted on 12/19/2013 11:37:20 AM PST by Resolute Conservative
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To: EveningStar

One of those balls of jelly currently resides on the president’s skull.

So much for evolution.


12 posted on 12/19/2013 11:47:02 AM PST by Da Coyote
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To: alancarp

A sponge is simply a feeding tube, the most basic “complex” animal possible. Food goes in one end, waste is expelled at the other end, nutrients are removed.

Every other animal - insects, fish, birds, mammals - is a more complex “wrapping” around that original feeding tube.


13 posted on 12/19/2013 12:17:00 PM PST by canuck_conservative
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To: EveningStar

Maybe your ancestors were a blob of jelly and maybe my ancestors were a blob of jelly, but General Lee’s ancestors sure weren’t a blob of jelly!


14 posted on 12/19/2013 1:00:55 PM PST by Portcall24
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To: Portcall24

then his loss at the hands of blobs of jelly discredited his ancestors?


15 posted on 12/19/2013 1:05:33 PM PST by Hegewisch Dupa
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To: EveningStar

Ho Ho Ho!


16 posted on 12/19/2013 1:23:25 PM PST by rfp1234 (Impeach We Much!)
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To: canuck_conservative

Umm, yeah - my reaction was based on the notion that many humans seem to be sponges for welfare support today.


17 posted on 12/19/2013 1:27:24 PM PST by alancarp
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To: EveningStar

Some have called me a tub of lard.


18 posted on 12/19/2013 1:40:53 PM PST by Gay State Conservative (Osama Obama Care: A Religion That Will Have You On Your Knees!)
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To: EveningStar

Comb jellies? The jellies sound smarter than the experts chattering about them.


19 posted on 12/19/2013 1:48:23 PM PST by count-your-change (you don't have to be brilliant, not being stupid is enough)
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To: Hegewisch Dupa

My quote is an adaption from “The Killer Angels” by the late Michael Shaara.


20 posted on 12/19/2013 3:53:56 PM PST by Portcall24
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