Centipede’s genes reveal how life evolved on our planet

Centipedes, those many-legged creatures that startle us in our homes and gardens, have been genetically sequenced for the first time. An international team of over 100 scientists reveals how this humble arthropod’s DNA gave them new insight into how life developed on our planet. This specific group of centipedes lives underground and have lost their eyes, together with almost all vision genes and genes involved in the body’s internal clock. They maintain enhanced sensory capabilities enabling them to recognize their environment and capture prey. The study found that despite being closely related to insects, the centipede lacks the olfactory gene family used by insects to smell the air, and thus developed its own air-sniffing ability by expanding other gene families not present in insects. According to Researchers, this research will have applications for other researchers ranging from conservation to dealing with crop pest.