Flexible paths to multicellularity

Nature News · Feb 25, 2026 · Collected from RSS

Full Article

NEWS AND VIEWS 25 February 2026 Close relatives of animals can become multicellular if distinct individuals join together or if dividing cells remain attached. A species has been found to use both mechanisms. By Jaruwatana Sodai Lotharukpong Jaruwatana Sodai Lotharukpong is in the Department of Algal Development and Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. Susana M. Coelho Susana M. Coelho is in the Department of Algal Development and Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. The evolution of multicellularity is often thought of as a one-step, discrete transition from a unicellular to a multicellular state. Such transitions to multicellularity are described as either being aggregative (whereby genetically distinct cells join together) or clonal (in which genetically identical cells remain attached after cell division). These two paths are commonly regarded as mutually exclusive, reflecting different selective pressures and evolutionary trajectories. Writing in Nature, Ros-Rocher et al.1 challenge this view by showing that Choanoeca flexa, a close relative of animals belonging to the choanoflagellate lineage, can become multi-cellular using both clonal and aggregative mechanisms, and can combine the two mechanisms in a single life cycle. Access options Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription 27,99 € / 30 days cancel any time Subscribe to this journal Receive 51 print issues and online access 185,98 € per year only 3,65 € per issue Rent or buy this article Prices vary by article type from$1.95 to$39.95 Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Additional access options: Log in Learn about institutional subscriptions Read our FAQs Contact customer support doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00292-7 ReferencesRos-Rocher, N. et al. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10137-y (2026).Article Google Scholar Knoll, A. H. Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 39, 217–239 (2011).Article Google Scholar Brunet, T. et al. Science 366, 326–334 (2019).Article PubMed Google Scholar Brunet, T. & King, N. Dev. Cell 43, 124–140 (2017).Article PubMed Google Scholar Coelho, S. M. & Cock, J. M. Annu. Rev. Genet. 54, 71–92 (2020).Article PubMed Google Scholar Coelho, S. M. & Cock, J. M. in The Evolution of Multicellularity 301–324 (CRC, 2022). Google Scholar Download references Competing Interests The authors declare no competing interests. Related Articles Read the paper: Clonal-aggregative multicellularity tuned by salinity in a choanoflagellate Clues to the origin of embryonic development in animals A radical evolutionary makeover gave echinoderms their unusual body plan See all News & Views Subjects Latest on: Evolution Clonal-aggregative multicellularity tuned by salinity in a choanoflagellate Article 25 FEB 26 Argentine fossil rewrites evolutionary history of a baffling dinosaur clade Article 25 FEB 26 Ancient co-option of LTR retrotransposons as yeast centromeres Article 18 FEB 26