How animals evolved

Biology. 2025/03/02

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This episode is with Iñaki Ruiz-Trillo, whose research sheds light on one of the most fundamental transitions in the history of life—the evolution of multicellularity. Iñaki is a group leader at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Barcelona, where he investigates how unicellular organisms gave rise to complex multicellular life. Our conversation explores the deep evolutionary forces that shaped this transition, the role of cooperation and cell differentiation, and what studying the ancestors of animals can teach us about life’s complexity. We also discuss broader questions about biological organization, individuality, and the very nature of what it means to be a multicellular being.

About the guest

Timestamps

  • 00:00:00 - Introduction

  • 00:00:20 - Evolution of multicellularity with Iñaki Ruiz-Trillo

  • 00:02:54 - Why compare animals with unicellular relatives?

  • 00:05:11 - What defines multicellularity?

  • 00:09:07 - Studying unicellular ancestors of animals

  • 00:14:19 - Convergent vs. homologous evolution

  • 00:22:26 - Why did multicellularity evolve?

  • 00:27:53 - What did the first animals look like?

  • 00:30:55 - Bilateral symmetry and its impact

  • 00:33:27 - Predation, competition, and cooperation in evolution

  • 00:39:09 - Comparing different multicellular lineages

  • 00:52:22 - Searching for new unicellular relatives

  • 01:03:30 - Experimenting with multicellular growth

  • 01:07:08 - Can we fully understand the origin of animals?

  • 01:09:47 - Closing remarks