The anus is a wildly successful innovation, but how did it evolve?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — The Soapbox
Celestia Bloodshed — 1 year ago(March 30, 2025 04:27 PM)
The anus is a wildly successful innovation, but how did it evolve?
A genetic analysis suggests it probably began as an opening used to release sperm that later fused with the gut – an example of evolution repurposing structures.
“Once a hole is there, you can use it for other things,” says Andreas Hejnol at the University of Bergen in Norway.
It is thought that early animals evolved the mouth and gut before the anus, as some simple creatures such as jellyfish still have this body plan. They have to expel the remains of their last meal out of their mouth before they can eat again, says Hejnol.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2473713-the-anus-may-have-evolved-from-a-hole-originally-used-to-release-sperm/
cursed, scarred & forever possessed -
Chicxulub — 1 year ago(March 30, 2025 07:38 PM)
“What happened is likely that the hole [gonopore] existed, and the digestive system was close by,” he says. “
And then they just fused.
They connected to each other, and they made a common opening.”
And then BAM! It just, like, happened…somehow Trust the science, everybody.
Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 
