35. Flatland (Hypotheses 3)

This post is a continuation of a series I started a few months ago, looking at old and new scenarios for the early evolution of animals. This thinking was prompted by a pair of of conferences I went to over the last few years, one in Tübingen and one in London.

The first animals evolved in the sea. That setting brings with it many consequences –a particular chemical environment, and physical features such as ease of motion. The first animals may have floated about as semi-organized balls of...