One of the most famous scientific images you probably know is wrong. Or at least, the way most people interpret it is wrong. The famous “march of progress” that supposedly shows humanity’s apparent evolution from knuckle-dragging ape to upstanding master of the planet is not only an icon of science but has found its own life in countless memes that reinforce the idea that evolution of any kind is about constant improvement and growing complexity.

But in reality it doesn’t always work like that. Rather than constantly gaining novel genes that provide useful new features, organisms sometimes lose genes and develop a simpler form. Now research has revealed just how common this gene loss is. In fact, by working out how the genomes of many animals had changed over history, the researchers showed that several of the key animal groups, including those that encompass vertebrates, insects and molluscs, there was evidence of gene loss on a massive scale.

This adds to the ample evidence that we should change our picture of evolution from one of constant progression and increasing complexity, to one in which lifeforms stand still, become simpler or go back and forth over time. Less of a march and more of a drunken stumble, as one researcher famously suggested.

Elsewhere on The Conversation, we look at the inherent problems of billionaires trying to solve climate change, and our coverage of the coronavirus outbreak continues as we consider how governments’ response could have some long-lasting implications for our human rights.

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