Phylogenetics and molecular evolution lie at the heart of understanding the origins and diversification of life. By constructing phylogenetic trees, scientists map the evolutionary relationships ...

Convergent evolution—where distinct species independently evolve similar traits or functions, such as the wings of birds and bats—has long fascinated biologists. Now, a research team led by Prof. Zou ...

ANN ARBOR—For a long time, evolutionary biologists have thought that the genetic mutations that drive the evolution of genes and proteins are largely neutral: they're neither good nor bad, but just ...

A major evolutionary theory says most genetic changes don’t really matter, but new evidence suggests that’s not true. Researchers found that helpful mutations happen surprisingly often. The twist is ...

The molecular clock theory posits that genetic changes happen steadily and gradually, offering a reliable means for peering into the past and theorizing when complex life first emerged. However, there ...

Molecular evolution investigates the processes that drive changes in genetic material over time. It encompasses the generation of mutations—whether through DNA replication errors, damage or other ...