国际研究团队通过基因组分析揭示，加拉帕戈斯群岛的巨型雏菊（Scalesia）植物多次独立进化出相似的耐热叶片形状，但每次进化所利用的遗传机制各不相同[1]。这一发现为平行进化提供了明确证据，表明自然界多次抵达同一解决方案，却通过不同的遗传途径实现[1]。研究由挪威科技大学、皇家植物园邱园、加州大学戴维斯分校等多家机构合作完成，相关论文已发表于《自然通讯》[1]。
论文第一作者范妮莎·比克表示："这提供了平行进化的清晰例证：自然多次到达相同解决方案，但通过不同的遗传途径"[1]。研究还发现，Scalesia属植物的孤立种群之间存在重大遗传差异，暗示新物种可能正在形成过程中[1]。该属植物所有物种均在过去一百万年内出现[1]。
An international research team has uncovered compelling evidence of evolution solving the same biological problem multiple times through distinctly different genetic mechanisms in the Galápagos Islands.[1] Researchers analyzed the giant daisy plants of the Scalesia genus and found that heat-resistant leaf shapes evolved independently on several occasions, yet each instance employed a different combination of genes.[1]
The findings, published in Nature Communications in 2026, reveal significant genetic differences among isolated populations of Scalesia, suggesting that new species may be forming.[1] All species within the Scalesia genus emerged within the past million years, according to the study.[1] Lead author Vanessa Bieker explained the implications: "This provides a clear example of parallel evolution: nature arrives at the same solution multiple times, but through different genetic pathways."[1] The research involved collaboration among institutions including the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, and the University of California, Davis.[1]