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Monday, November 23, 2009

Photo: Sea Urchin Genome Reveals Striking Similarities to Humans


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Purple sea urchins feast on the remains of a giant kelp in Carmel Bay, California.

Scientists have completed sequencing the genome of the California purple urchin—revealing surprising new information about just how closely urchins resemble humans and how vital a role the marine creatures play in ocean ecosystems.

Photograph © Science