Corals evolve in an unusual way

摘要

CORALS have an evolutionary superpower. Adult corals can pass on mutations they have acquired during their lives to their offspring, overturning a long-standing belief that no animals can hand down such mutations - although most can't. "Juvenile corals inherited mutations that were acquired during the parents' lifespan," says Iliana Baums at Pennsylvania State University. "It has not been observed before in animals, but it has been observed in plants."