No animal alive today is described as “primitive” – so why are so many still described that way?

We humans have long viewed ourselves as the pinnacle of evolution. People classify other species as “primitive” or “archaic” and use terms such as “higher” and “lower” animals.

this Anthropocentrism This perspective was established in 1866, when the German scientist Drawing by Ernst Haeckel One of the first trees of life. He placed the word ‘Man’, clearly marked, at the top. This illustration helped cement the popular view that we are the ultimate goal of evolution.

Modern evolutionary biology and genomics expose this flawed perspective, showing that there is no hierarchy in evolution. All species living today, from chimpanzees to bacteria, are cousins ​​each with equally long lineages. Instead of grandparents or grandchildren.

Unfortunately, these Outdated concepts still prevail In scientific journals and scientific press. In my new bookUnderstanding the tree of life“, I explore why it is fundamentally misleading to view any existing genre as primitive, archaic, or simple. As an evolutionary biologistI offer an alternative view that emphasizes a complex, non-hierarchical and interconnected evolutionary history.

Not primitive, just different

mammals that lay eggs, Monotremesare often classified as the most “primitive” living mammals. This class includes the platypus and four species of echidnas. In fact, laying eggs is an ancient trait shared with reptiles.

but The platypus also has several unique modern adaptations Which makes them well suited to their lifestyle: they have webbed feet for swimming and a beak equipped with specialized electroreceptors that detect prey in the mud. Males have venomous spurs that they can use to defend themselves against rivals. If you look at the platypus, it’s the pinnacle of evolution for its specific ecological niche.

Hedgehogs may seem primitive, especially because they lack the ability humans have: the ability to reproduce and live young. And yet they have Many exceptional qualities that humans lack. Hedgehogs are known for their outer covering of protective spines. They also have strong claws for digging, a sensitive beak, and a long, sticky tongue, all of which they use to hunt for ants and termites. In a head-to-head competition searching for prey in a termite mound, the echidna could easily outperform any human.

Other mammals native to Australia also appear in lists of primitive mammals, such as several mammal species Marsupials – Mammals with pockets, including kangaroos, koalas and wombats. These species generally give birth to small, minimally developed young which move into the mother’s pouch where they are fully developed. Pouch development may seem inferior to the human method, but it has advantages. For example, a kangaroo can take care of young ones at the same time Three stages of development.

The appearance of the evolutionary tree depends on the concentration

Marsupials such as the opossum, or monotremes such as the platypus, often appear at the bottom or left side of the evolutionary tree. However, this does not mean that they are older, more primitive, or less developed.

Evolutionary trees – what scientists call them Breeds – Show cousin relationships. Just as your second or third cousin is no more primitive than you, it is misleading to think of a koala or echidna as being primitive because of where they are depicted in these trees.

When scientists and journalists choose which species to include in the evolutionary trees in their publications, this may influence how the public perceives those species. But the species shown at the bottom of the page are not “inferior” on some evolutionary scale.

Rather, they are placed there because the focus of many of these trees is on placental mammals, such as humans, other primates, carnivores, rodents, and so on. When the focus is on placental mammals, it makes sense to include one or two marsupial species as comparisons for reference.

In contrast, in a tree focusing on marsupials, one or two placental mammals may be listed at the bottom of the page for comparison.

Why is understanding the tree of life important?

Viewing humans as the target of evolution leads to a misunderstanding of the entire evolutionary process. Since evolution is the conceptual foundation of all biology, this flawed perspective can hamper all biological and biomedical sciences.

Mastering the modern understanding of evolutionary trees is crucial for progress in fields ranging from animal behavior and physiology to environmental conservation and biomedicine. For example, because rhesus monkeys exist More connected to us Of the capuchins, rhesus monkeys are generally better handled Initial tests of human vaccines. Incorrectly considered primitive, opossums are a great species for providing a A broader framework for studies of neuroscience and aging Because they are far from us, not because they are less or more ancestral.

Recognizing the profound truth that humans are not the pinnacle of evolution, but one branch among many, is fundamental to all of modern biology. Understanding the tree of life is essential to embracing the common modern status of all animals, from the platypus to humans.