Uncovering Mysteries of Animal Evolution through Gene Linkages and Extinction Events.
A new study has used chromosomal rearrangements to create a more accurate animal family tree, which places sponges as more closely related to humans than some other animals with a nervous system. The study identified eight rearrangements that were shared by animals with left and right sides like us vertebrates, and things like jellyfish (Cnidaria) and sponges (Porifera). None of these showed up in comb jellies (Ctenophora).