Scientists MayHave Foundthe Blueprint of the HumanBody Atthe Bottom of the Ocean
A recent study suggests that sea anemones may hold ancient biological techniques similar to those found in bilaterians, including humans. Researchers discovered that these creatures utilize a method known as bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) shuttling to shape their bodies, a technique previously thought to be exclusive to bilaterians. This finding indicates that such evolutionary traits may have developed before the two groups diverged around 600 to 700 million years ago.
- ▪Sea anemones, part of the Cnidarian phylum, use bilaterian-like techniques to form their bodies.
- ▪The study found that sea anemones employ BMP shuttling, a method associated with bilaterians.
- ▪This research suggests that the evolutionary divergence between Cnidarians and bilaterians occurred 600 to 700 million years ago.
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ScienceAnimalsScientists May Have Found the Blueprint of the Human Body at the Bottom of the OceanScientists May Have Found the Blueprint of the Human Body at the Bottom of the OceanThis brainless animal uses a molecular trick once tied to bilaterian body plans.By Darren OrfPublished: May 18, 2026 10:35 AM EDTSave ArticleShare ArticleListen (3 min)3 mingremlin//Getty ImagesGear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?3 min readHere’s what you’ll learn when you read this story:One major division of the kingdom Animalia is Cnidarians (animals built around a central point) and bilaterians (animals with bilateral symmetry), which includes us humans.A study found that the sea anemone, a member of the Cnidarian phylum, uses…
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