Story perspectives

Shark Genomes Challenge Traditional Family Tree Beliefs

3/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Recent genomic studies suggest that sharks may not form a natural biological group.
Researchers at Yale University analyzed the genomes of 48 shark species.
Although traditional data support distinct shark family trees, ultra-conserved sequences indicate sharks could be paraphyletic, with hexanchiform sharks possibly belonging to a separate lineage.
The findings imply that rays and skates evolved from shark-like ancestors, reshaping our understanding of evolutionary relationships within Chondrichthyes.

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Story summary

Recent genomic studies suggest that sharks may not form a natural biological group.
Researchers at Yale University analyzed the genomes of 48 shark species.
Although traditional data support distinct shark family trees, ultra-conserved sequences indicate sharks could be paraphyletic, with hexanchiform sharks possibly belonging to a separate lineage.
The findings imply that rays and skates evolved from shark-like ancestors, reshaping our understanding of evolutionary relationships within Chondrichthyes.