Common descent

A group of organisms is said to have common descent if they have a common ancestor. In biology, the theory of universal common descent proposes that all organisms on Earth are descended from a common ancestor or ancestral gene pool.{{ref|transfer}}

Related Topics:
Ancestor - Biology - Organism - Earth

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A theory of universal common descent based on evolutionary principles was proposed by Charles Darwin in his book The Origin of Species (1859), and later in The Descent of Man (1871).

Related Topics:
Evolutionary - Charles Darwin - The Origin of Species - 1859 - The Descent of Man - 1871

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This theory is now generally accepted by biologists, and the last universal common ancestor (LUCA or LUA), that is, the most recent common ancestor of all currently living organisms, is believed to have appeared about 3.5 billion years ago (see: origin of life).

Related Topics:
Last universal common ancestor - Most recent common ancestor - 3.5 billion years ago - Origin of life

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