Jake Harper
Turtles and chickens may share a common ancestor. The evolutionary origin of turtles has been a contentious question in evolutionary biology. While paleontological and morphological studies place turtles as evolving from the ancestor of all reptiles, or snakes, lizards, and tuataras, genetic studies place turtles as evolving from the ancestor of archosaurs (birds and crocodilians). Recent studies have found that turtles are more closely related to birds and crocodiles than to lizards and snakes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Turtles' common ancestor | Birds and Crocodilians |
| Birds' closest living relatives | Crocodilians |
| Turtles' closest relatives | Crocodilians and Birds |
| Birds and Crocodilians' group name | Archosaurs |
| Snakes, lizards and tuataras' group name | Lepidosaurs |
| Turtles' common ancestor divergence date | 255 million years ago |
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What You'll Learn
- Turtles and chickens share a common ancestor with crocodiles
- This ancestor is estimated to have existed 250-255 million years ago
- The common ancestor probably didn't resemble modern crocodiles or birds
- The ancestor likely had a diapsid skull, with openings behind each eye
- The evolutionary origin of turtles has long been a contentious topic
Turtles and chickens share a common ancestor with crocodiles
The evolutionary origin of turtles is one of the last unanswered questions in vertebrate evolution. While paleontological and morphological studies place turtles as either evolving from the ancestor of all reptiles or from the ancestor of snakes, lizards, and tuataras, genetic studies have challenged this hypothesis.
Recent genetic studies have found that turtles are more closely related to birds and crocodiles (archosaurs) than to lizards, snakes, and tuataras (lepidosaurs). This challenges previous anatomical and paleontological assessments. For example, a team of researchers from Boston University (BU) has confirmed that turtles are most closely related to archosaurs rather than lepidosaurs. They did this by examining data from many single-copy nuclear loci dispersed throughout the genome, using sequence capture, high-throughput sequencing, and published genomes to obtain sequences from 1145 ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and their variable flanking DNA.
The evolutionary relationship between turtles and archosaurs is further supported by fossil evidence. A group of researchers from Yale, the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science found telltale skull openings in a 260-million-year-old Eunotosaurus africanus reptile. These skull openings, found behind each eye, allowed jaw muscles to tighten and flex during chewing, indicating that early turtles had a diapsid skull. This discovery may settle a long-standing argument among scientists about the origins of turtles.
Additionally, a study led by Daniel Field of Yale University and the Smithsonian Institution found fresh evidence that turtles are more closely related to archosaurs than to lepidosaurs. They collected new microRNA data from a variety of vertebrate animals and adhered to strict new guidelines for microRNA identification. When the experiment was redone, the results supported the relationship between turtles and archosaurs, providing a consistent evolutionary signal from different sources of molecular data.
In conclusion, while the precise evolutionary origin of turtles remains elusive, recent genetic and fossil evidence strongly suggests that turtles and chickens share a common ancestor with crocodiles. These findings challenge previous hypotheses and provide new insights into the murky reaches of reptile evolution.
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This ancestor is estimated to have existed 250-255 million years ago
Turtles and chickens, or birds, do share a common ancestor. This ancestor is estimated to have existed 250-255 million years ago, during the late Triassic period. This estimate is based on fossil discoveries, such as Odontochelys and Proganochelys, which fill important gaps in the turtle evolutionary history. For example, the prehistoric turtle, Proganochelys, had a fully formed hard shell, and prominent spikes on its neck, which meant that it couldn't fully retract its head under its shell.
The evolutionary origin of turtles is one of the last unanswered questions in vertebrate evolution. Palaeontological and morphological studies place turtles as either evolving from the ancestor of all reptiles or as evolving from the ancestor of snakes, lizards, and tuataras. However, genetic studies place turtles as evolving from the ancestor of archosaurs (birds, crocodilians).
A recent study by Boston University researchers confirmed that turtles are most closely related to crocodiles and birds rather than to lizards, snakes, and tuataras. The researchers used ultraconserved elements (UCEs) in the genome to conduct their analysis. UCEs are easily aligned portions of extremely divergent genomes, allowing many loci to be interrogated across evolutionary timescales. The resulting phylogeny provides strong support for the hypothesis that turtles evolved from a common ancestor of birds and crocodiles.
The common ancestor of turtles and birds is estimated to have had a diapsid skull, with a pair of openings behind each eye that allowed jaw muscles to tighten and flex during chewing. This hypothesis is supported by the discovery of a 260-million-year-old juvenile Eunotosaurus africanus reptile skull with these telltale openings.
Chickens, specifically, are believed to have descended from the Southeast Asian Red Junglefowl (gallus gallus). DNA studies indicate that hybridization with other species, such as the Indian Grey Junglefowl (Gallus sonnaratii), also contributed to the modern chicken. Domestication of chickens is estimated to have occurred 7,000-10,000 years ago in Southeast Asia and Oceana.
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The common ancestor probably didn't resemble modern crocodiles or birds
Turtles are more closely related to birds and crocodiles than to lizards and snakes, according to genetic studies. This contradicts previous anatomical and paleontological assessments, which placed turtles as evolving from the ancestor of all reptiles or as evolving from the ancestor of snakes, lizards, and tuataras.
The common ancestor of turtles, birds, and crocodiles is thought to be an archosaur, a subgroup of archosauriforms, which first appeared in the Early Triassic period. Archosaurs are characterised by their thecodont or "socket teeth", and their lack of non-muscular lips. They also had large skulls, and strong muscles that allowed for erect gaits.
However, it is unlikely that this common ancestor resembled modern crocodiles or birds. Firstly, the common ancestor of birds and crocodiles is estimated to have lived around 65 million years ago, when a massive extinction event wiped out all dinosaurs except for a single group of feathered dinosaurs. These dinosaurs evolved over the next 65 million years into modern birds. This means that the common ancestor of birds and crocodiles is much further back in time than 65 million years, and likely did not look like modern crocodiles or birds, which have evolved significantly since then.
Additionally, the common ancestor of turtles, birds, and crocodiles is thought to have been an early archosaur, which had a relatively large skull and strong muscles. Modern crocodiles do have large skulls, but they are also characterised by their long snouts, which are a more recent evolutionary development. Birds, on the other hand, are typically much smaller than crocodiles and have feathers, a trait not shared by early archosaurs.
Furthermore, the common ancestor of turtles, birds, and crocodiles is thought to have been a diapsid, a group characterised by two openings behind each eye that allowed for greater flexibility of the jaw muscles. Modern crocodiles do have these openings, but they have also evolved other features, such as their armoured skin and powerful tails, which the common ancestor likely did not possess.
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The ancestor likely had a diapsid skull, with openings behind each eye
Turtles and chickens, or birds, are believed to have shared a common ancestor. This is supported by paleontological, morphological, and genetic studies. The ancestor likely had a diapsid skull, with openings behind each eye.
The term "diapsid" means "two arches", referring to the two skull openings, or temporal fenestrae, found posteriorly above and below the eye. These openings allowed for stronger jaw muscles and a wider jaw opening range. While modern turtles have an anapsid skull, or no skull openings, it is believed that they descended from a diapsid ancestor. This is supported by genetic studies, which place turtles as more closely related to archosaurs (birds and crocodiles) than to lepidosaurs (lizards and snakes).
The evolutionary history of the diapsid lineage is quite complex. Diapsids first appeared during the late Carboniferous period, approximately 350 million years ago. Over time, they evolved into various forms and occupied different ecological niches. While some diapsids have lost one or both openings, or have restructured skulls, they are still classified as diapsids based on their ancestry.
The discovery of the common ancestor between turtles and birds helps settle a long-standing debate among scientists about the origins of turtles. It also sheds light on the evolution of the turtle's skull, which has been a subject of discussion due to the lack of fossil evidence.
In conclusion, the common ancestor of turtles and chickens likely had a diapsid skull, with a pair of openings behind each eye. This ancestor is believed to have been an early diapsid, dating back to the Carboniferous period. The discovery of this common ancestor provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history of both turtles and birds.
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The evolutionary origin of turtles has long been a contentious topic
Paleontological and morphological studies have traditionally placed turtles as either evolving from the ancestor of all reptiles or as evolving from the ancestor of snakes, lizards, and tuataras. However, genetic studies have challenged this understanding by suggesting that turtles share a more recent common ancestor with birds and crocodilians, a group known as archosaurs. This hypothesis is supported by molecular-based analyses and genomic-scale analysis of single-copy DNA sequences, which indicate that turtles are more closely related to archosaurs than to lepidosaurs (lizards, snakes, and tuataras).
The debate revolves around conflicting interpretations of fossil evidence and molecular data. On the one hand, paleontologists have argued that the evolution of the turtle's skull supports a relationship with archosaurs, as early turtles are believed to have had a diapsid skull with a pair of openings behind each eye, allowing for greater jaw muscle flexibility. This interpretation is supported by the recent discovery of a 260-million-year-old Eunotosaurus africanus fossil exhibiting these telltale skull openings. On the other hand, anatomical studies and research involving microRNAs have indicated a closer relationship between turtles and lepidosaurs.
However, recent studies have questioned the reliability of these microRNA analyses, suggesting that the identification of microRNAs in previous research may have been inaccurate. Furthermore, new fossil evidence supports the genetic studies, as the discovery of Eunotosaurus africanus provides a link between turtles and archosaurs.
While the precise evolutionary history of turtles remains elusive, the combination of genetic studies, fossil evidence, and improved analytical methods is helping to shed light on this contentious topic. The consensus among current research is that turtles share a more recent common ancestor with birds and crocodilians, placing them firmly within the archosaur group.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, turtles and chickens share a common ancestor. Turtles are more closely related to birds and crocodiles than to lizards and snakes.
Researchers from Yale, the New York Institute of Technology, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science found the telltale skull openings in a 260-million-year-old reptile. This, along with genetic analysis of molecular sequence data, provided evidence that turtles share a common ancestor with birds and crocodiles.
The evolutionary origin of turtles has been one of the most contentious questions in evolutionary biology. Previous beliefs placed turtles as evolving from the ancestor of all reptiles or from the ancestor of snakes, lizards, and tuataras.
