Portside

Even though we all inhabit the same planet, each species experiences it very differently.

Huge scale of human-driven loss of species demands urgent action, say world’s leading scientists

Huge scale of human-driven loss of species demands urgent action, say world’s leading scientists

Humanity has wiped out 60% of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles since 1970, the world’s foremost experts warn that the annihilation of wildlife is now an emergency that threatens the survival of civilisation.

Published by Viking Press in 1936, the release of Ferdinand came during the era of the Great Depression. That year also saw the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. In light of these events, Ferdinand started to take on a much greater significance. Ferdinand, the bull presented a Spanish character who stood out from society and refused to fight. Those who supported the violent uprising that was led by Francisco Franco viewed it as pacifist propaganda and they banned its publication.

If you think this suggests that early animals started out simple and gradually evolved new features, and things like sponges branched off before they were added, you wouldn't be alone. Over the years, lots of researchers argued the same thing. But a recent genome sequence indicated that the oldest branch of the animal family tree that led to the comb jellies, with muscles, nerves, and tentacles, were an older branch than sponges.