Introduction to the Special Issue on Early Evolution and the Last Common Ancestor
Abstract
The early evolution of life spans an extensive period preceding the emergence of the first eukaryotic cell. This epoch, which transpired from 4.5 to 2.5 billion years ago, marked the advent of many fundamental cellular attributes and witnessed the existence of the Last Common Ancestor (LCA) of all life forms. Uncovering and reconstructing this elusive LCA's characteristics and genetic makeup represents a formidable challenge and a pivotal pursuit in early evolution. While most scientific accounts concur that the LCA resembles contemporary prokaryotes, its precise definition, genome composition, metabolic capabilities, and ecological niche remain subjects of contentious debate.
Repository Citation
Becerra, Arturo, and Aaron D. Goldman. 2024. "Introduction to the Special Issue on Early Evolution and the Last Common Ancestor." Journal of Molecular Evolution 92(5): 527-529.
Publisher
Springer
Publication Date
9-20-2024
Publication Title
Journal of Molecular Evolution
Department
Biology
Document Type
Article
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-024-10208-6
Notes
Special Issue
Language
English
Format
text
