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Millipedes Preceded Vertebrates on Land by 80 Million Years, Study Reveals

14 Haziran 2026Science Daily

A recent study reveals that millipedes may have inhabited terrestrial environments around 460 million years ago, predating vertebrates by 80 million years. This research completes their evolutionary family tree and uncovers insights into their role as ecosystem engineers and their early chemical defenses.
The findings highlight the significance of millipedes in the history of land-dwelling organisms.
Millipedes are often overlooked in discussions about the evolution of life on land, yet their early colonization of terrestrial habitats suggests they played a crucial role in shaping these ecosystems. This study not only fills gaps in their evolutionary history but also emphasizes the complexity of life’s transitio…
The discovery that millipedes were among the first land-dwelling creatures challenges traditional narratives about the timeline of terrestrial life. By establishing their presence well before vertebrates, this research prompts a reevaluation of the evolutionary adaptations that allowed such organisms to thrive in te…

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This article is based on research findings and should be interpreted within the context of ongoing scientific discussions.