Scientists from several U.S. and Chinese universities say new findings about microbes and their interaction with other species show that Darwin's theory of evolution needs an update. <\/p>\n
Their contention is based on discoveries that all plants and animals, including humans, evolved in interaction with a huge number of microscopic species bacteria, viruses and fungi not only in harmful but also in beneficial ways. <\/p>\n
In a paper published by the scientific journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution, scientists from the University of Colorado, Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China, and several other universities say Darwin's tree of life fails to recognize that many forms of life are linked physically and evolved together in so-called symbiomes. <\/p>\n
The authors propose creating a working group that would use advanced computational methods to create a multidimensional evolutionary tree describing our complex interaction with microbes. <\/p>\n
For centuries, mythologies around the world used the so-called tree of life as a metaphor for diversity stemming from a single source. <\/p>\n
In 1859, Charles Darwin used the same concept to explain his theory of evolution, depicting it as a two-dimensional tree with individual species evolving independently of other branches. <\/p>\n
Scientists say an updated view on symbiomes could have a profound effect not only on biology but also on many areas of science, including technology and even on society. <\/p>\n
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Theory of Evolution Needs Update, Scientists Say - Voice of America<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Scientists from several U.S. and Chinese universities say new findings about microbes and their interaction with other species show that Darwin's theory of evolution needs an update Continue reading