Evolution articles from across Nature Portfolio

Reconstruction of the ancestral gene repertoire of eukaryotic cells reveals traces of a series of close, long-term interactions with diverse microorganisms, and a role of viruses in gene exchange. The findings challenge the view that eukaryotic cells evolved from a simple merger of just two organisms.

Bryozoans are marine invertebrates that live in colonies and have long been considered absent from the Cambrian explosion — a rapid evolutionary event that began around 538 million years ago. Newly discovered fossils from the Cambrian period reveal that the bryozoan phylum had already diversified by this time.

In the Indian Ocean, a deep-sea area roughly 1,200 kilometres long and 7 kilometres deep was found to harbour an ecological landmark site of whale remains.

Genetic assays show that rewiring DSX, a master regulator of sex-biased development, and E93, a regulator of wing morphogenesis, controls female-specific wing regression in the turtle cockroach and other insects.

Epithelial cell extrusion in a sea anemone shares key hallmarks with bilaterians and is dynamically regulated by nutritional status. During starvation-induced body shrinkage, extrusion likely contributes to cell loss and nutrient recycling.

Juvenile Arapaima gigas - world’s largest freshwater fish - show high degrees of synchrony when air-breathing together despite individual differences. Agent-based models and empirical data suggest assortative social responsiveness as mechanism.

Analysis shows evidence of deadly outbreaks 5,500 years ago — plus, a prototype dark-matter detector.

Reconstruction of the ancestral gene repertoire of eukaryotic cells reveals traces of a series of close, long-term interactions with diverse microorganisms, and a role of viruses in gene exchange. The findings challenge the view that eukaryotic cells evolved from a simple merger of just two organisms.

Biology has clever ways to mask the effects of potentially harmful gene mutations. Scientists are investigating how this ‘buffering’ works — and how to exploit it.

Nature staff discuss some of the week’s top science news.

The treasure trove of fossils and bones has already revealed a new species of extinct whale.

Bryozoans are marine invertebrates that live in colonies and have long been considered absent from the Cambrian explosion — a rapid evolutionary event that began around 538 million years ago. Newly discovered fossils from the Cambrian period reveal that the bryozoan phylum had already diversified by this time.