Example Of Convergent Evolution Research Articles

Supercoiled filaments propel them all

In this issue of Cell, Kreutzberger and colleagues report the near-atomic-resolution, cryo-EM structures of the supercoiled filaments of both bacterial and archaeal motility machines. Despite the lack of homology, the supercoiled filament structures reveal shared fundamental features of prokaryotic locomotion and represent a prime example of convergent evolution.

Convergence and constraint in the cranial evolution of mosasaurid reptiles and early cetaceans

AbstractThe repeated return of tetrapods to aquatic life provides some of the best-known examples of convergent evolution. One comparison that has received relatively little focus is that of mosasaurids (a group of Late Cretaceous squamates) and archaic cetaceans (the ancestors of modern whales and dolphins), both of which show high levels of craniodental disparity, similar initial trends in locomotory evolution, and global distributions. Here we investigate convergence in skull ecomorphology during the initial aquatic radiations of these groups. A series of functionally informative ratios were calculated from 38 species, with ordination techniques used to reconstruct patterns of functional ecomorphospace occupation. The earliest fully aquatic members of each clade occupied different regions of ecomorphospace, with basilosaurids and early russellosaurines exhibiting marked differences in cranial functional morphology. Subsequent ecomorphological trajectories notably diverge: mosasaurids radiated across ecomorphospace with no clear pattern and numerous reversals, whereas cetaceans notably evolved toward shallower, more elongated snouts, perhaps as an adaptation for capturing smaller prey. Incomplete convergence between the two groups is present among megapredatory and longirostrine forms, suggesting stronger selection on cranial function in these two ecomorphologies. Our study highlights both the similarities and divergences in craniodental evolutionary trajectories between archaic cetaceans and mosasaurids, with convergences transcending their deeply divergent phylogenetic affinities.

Convergence is Only Skin Deep: Craniofacial Evolution in Electric Fishes from South America and Africa (Apteronotidae and Mormyridae).

SynopsisApteronotidae and Mormyridae are species-rich clades of weakly electric fishes from Neotropical and Afrotropical freshwaters, respectively, known for their high morphological disparity and often regarded as a classic example of convergent evolution. Here, we use CT-imaging and 3D geometric morphometrics to quantify disparity in craniofacial morphologies, and to test the hypothesis of convergent skull-shape evolution in a phylogenetic context. For this study, we examined 391 specimens representing 78 species of Apteronotidae and Mormyridae including 30 of 37 (81%) of all valid genera with the goal to sample most of the craniofacial disparity known in these clades. We found no overlap between Apteronotidae and Mormyridae in the skull-shape morphospace using PCA and a common landmark scheme, and therefore no instances of complete phenotypic convergence. Instead, we found multiple potential instances of incomplete convergence, and at least one parallel shift among electric fish clades. The greatest components of shape variance in both families are the same as observed for most vertebrate clades: heterocephaly (i.e., opposite changes in relative sizes of the snout and braincase regions of the skull), and heterorhynchy (i.e., dorsoventral changes in relative snout flexion and mouth position). Mormyrid species examined here exhibit less craniofacial disparity than do apteronotids, potentially due to constraints associated with a larger brain size, ecological constraints related to food-type availability. Patterns of craniofacial evolution in these two clades depict a complex story of phenotypic divergence and convergence in which certain superficial similarities of external morphology obscure deeper osteological and presumably developmental differences of skull form and function. Among apteronotid and mormyrid electric fishes, craniofacial convergence is only skin deep.

Crocodilepox Virus Protein 157 Is an Independently Evolved Inhibitor of Protein Kinase R

Crocodilepox virus (CRV) belongs to the Poxviridae family and mainly infects hatchling and juvenile Nile crocodiles. Most poxviruses encode inhibitors of the host antiviral protein kinase R (PKR), which is activated by viral double-stranded (ds) RNA formed during virus replication, resulting in the phosphorylation of eIF2α and the subsequent shutdown of general mRNA translation. Because CRV lacks orthologs of known poxviral PKR inhibitors, we experimentally characterized one candidate (CRV157), which contains a predicted dsRNA-binding domain. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that CRV157 evolved independently from other poxvirus PKR inhibitors. CRV157 bound to dsRNA, co-localized with PKR in the cytosol, and inhibited PKR from various species. To analyze whether CRV157 could inhibit PKR in the context of a poxvirus infection, we constructed recombinant vaccinia virus strains that contain either CRV157, or a mutant CRV157 deficient in dsRNA binding in a strain that lacks PKR inhibitors. The presence of wild-type CRV157 rescued vaccinia virus replication, while the CRV157 mutant did not. The ability of CRV157 to inhibit PKR correlated with virus replication and eIF2α phosphorylation. The independent evolution of CRV157 demonstrates that poxvirus PKR inhibitors evolved from a diverse set of ancestral genes in an example of convergent evolution.

Convergent behaviours in subterranean species

The specialised subterranean fauna is often described as an iconic example of convergent evolution driven by environmental constraints, representing therefore an ideal model system for eco-evolutionary studies. During the colonization of subterranean environments, behavioural plasticity likely plays a fundamental role, as the quick behavioural response of individuals to the new environment is a key process enabling their long-term establishment. However, scientific research on the behavioural adaptations of subterranean organisms has lagged behind and is mostly biased towards a few model species. By reviewing the available literature, we aim to assess whether a convergent evolution of behavioural traits among subterranean species exists. We considered four different types of behaviour that are commonly studied in subterranean species: the explorative behaviour (i.e., how much individuals move), the diet (i.e., the variability of consumed prey), the social behaviour (i.e., type of intraspecific interactions) and the anti-predator response (i.e., if individuals adopt specific behaviours to reduce predation risk). We analysed >130 papers (both scientific and grey literature) published in the period 1909–2021, in which these four specific behaviours were described. We attributed species to one of the three main ecological classifications for subterranean species [(stygo-)trogloxene, (stygo-)troglophile and (stygo-)troglobite] according to the information reported in the literature. We collected data on the behaviour of more than 135 species belonging to > 75 different taxonomic families, including both vertebrates and invertebrates. From our preliminary analyses, we observed a lower movement in trogloxenes. We detected a significant increase in the trophic spectrum in troglophile species, while trogloxenes showed the narrowest trophic niche. We observed a higher occurrence of anti-predatory behaviours in trogloxenes, as well as an increase in intraspecific antagonistic interactions.

Evolution of Placental Hormones: Implications for Animal Models.

Human placenta secretes a variety of hormones, some of them in large amounts. Their effects on maternal physiology, including the immune system, are poorly understood. Not one of the protein hormones specific to human placenta occurs outside primates. Instead, laboratory and domesticated species have their own sets of placental hormones. There are nonetheless several examples of convergent evolution. Thus, horse and human have chorionic gonadotrophins with similar functions whilst pregnancy-specific glycoproteins have evolved in primates, rodents, horses, and some bats, perhaps to support invasive placentation. Placental lactogens occur in rodents and ruminants as well as primates though evolved through duplication of different genes and with functions that only partially overlap. There are also placental hormones, such as the pregnancy-associated glycoproteins of ruminants, that have no equivalent in human gestation. This review focusses on the evolution of placental hormones involved in recognition and maintenance of pregnancy, in maternal adaptations to pregnancy and lactation, and in facilitating immune tolerance of the fetal semiallograft. The contention is that knowledge gained from laboratory and domesticated mammals can translate to a better understanding of human placental endocrinology, but only if viewed in an evolutionary context.

Behavioral differences between pit-building antlions and wormlions suggest limits to convergent evolution.

Antlions and wormlions are distantly related insect taxa, both digging pits in loose soil and ambushing arthropod prey. Their hunting method, which is rare in the animal kingdom, is a clear example of convergent evolution. There is little research directly comparing the 2 pit-building taxa. Using the same experimental platform to investigate how they respond to biotic and abiotic environmental factors enables an examination of their convergence and its limits. We investigated the response of antlions and wormlions to 3 factors common in their daily life: disturbance to the pits, prey arrival, and conspecific competitors. Although both increased the pit size following disturbance, wormlions increased it faster than antlions. Antlions responded to prey faster than wormlions, but wormlions improved their response time over days. The most diverging response was toward conspecifics. Whereas antlions relocated their pits fast in response to increasing conspecific density, wormlions never relocated. We suggest explanations for the behavioral differences between the taxa. Our results imply that despite the similar hunting method of the 2 taxa they may differ greatly in their behavior, which in turn might have consequences for their habitat use and population dynamics.

Evolution of substrate specificity in a maize anthranilate methyltransferase

Secondary metabolites play a key role in mediating pollination and plant defense against herbivory. One such metabolite, methyl anthranilate, is a volatile compound responsible for the recognizable scent of Concord grapes. Methyl anthranilate is commercially used as a bird repellent for golf courses and as a flavoring agent for grape‐flavored foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. A variety of plant species such as Zea mays (maize) and Vitis labrusca (fox grape) synthesize methyl anthranilate from anthranilate, an intermediate in tryptophan biosynthesis. Methyl anthranilate biosynthesis is a classic example of convergent evolution; in maize, this reaction is catalyzed by an anthranilate methyltransferase (AAMT1), while in grape, there is a two‐step pathway. Previous studies have found that the ZmAAMT1 SABATH methyltransferase likely evolved from methyltransferases that recognize the plant pathogen response hormone salicylic acid as a substrate. Using site‐directed mutagenesis, we introduced 12 independent missense mutations at 7 key active site residues with the intention of restoring substrate specificity for salicylic acid. This work will allow us to better trace and understand the evolution of anthranilate‐derived specialized metabolism in plants.

Patterns of secondary palate convergence across Amniota

Living amniotes (mammals, birds, and ‘reptiles’) display a tremendous disparity in craniofacial form and composition, reflecting over 300 million years of evolutionary divergence. The anatomical specialization and ecological diversification of amniotes makes it relatively trivial to distinguish a modern mammal skull from a bird or a turtle from a crocodylian. Despite the anatomical divergences, the roof of the mouth reveals remarkable similarities across these major clades. In fact, mammals, crocodylians, and some lizards have independently derived “secondary palates” which divide the nasal and oral passages (to greater or lessor degrees). However, this conspicuous example of convergent evolution has yet to be characterized in a quantitative analysis. Several critical questions therefore remain poorly understood, including: how convergently similar are “secondary palates”? and are there multiple evolutionary pathways to achieve a “secondary palate”? To begin to address these questions, we captured palate shape using two‐dimensional geometric morphometrics from representatives of all extant amniote clades, including all lineages which have been described as possessing “secondary palates”, and key representatives from the fossil record. This landmarking approach allowed for quantifying both the overall shape of the palate but also the key connections among palate elements. These data demonstrate that crocodylians and mammals possess remarkably similar palate anatomy, principally due to the presence of extensive palatal shelves on the maxilla and mid‐line contact of the palatines. Other reptiles with putative “secondary palates” do not overlap with crocodylians but rather cluster with other lizards and turtles. There is much greater diversity in palate form observed among squamates, likely reflecting greater functional and/or ecological utility of the palate than in other amniote clades. Extant birds occupy a distinct region of morphospace, potentially reflecting the enlargement of the premaxillary component of the palate. The inclusion of extinct forms reveals that living clades possess substantially modified and derived palate forms compared with ancestral amniotes, regardless of whether they possess “secondary palates” or not. However, several key elements including the ectopterygoid and vomer could not be landmarked due to their absence or exclusion from the ventral surface of the palate in key taxa. There are important differences in the structure and function of the nasal passage among amniote clades, necessitating consideration of other ossified and unossified components when discussing the degree of convergence in palate form and potential explanatory factors. Incorporating the full three‐dimensional anatomy of the palate will allow the inclusion of these additional elements and may reveal important nuance to the patterns recovered in this analysis. Future analyses capturing the full volumetric form of individual elements and the entire palate, using a combination of fixed and pseudo landmarks, will be conducted to assess the strength of the patterns recovered here.

Sexual deception of maleBradysia(Diptera: Sciaridae) by floral odour and morphological cues inPterostylis(Orchidaceae)

AbstractSexually deceptive orchids exploit the innate sexual preferences of their male insect pollinators to achieve pollen transfer. Although floral volatiles are critical for pollinator attraction in sexually deceptive systems, floral morphology is also expected to exploit the sexual preferences of the pollinator. Here, we investigate the pollination of the Australian orchid Pterostylis cycnocephala. We confirm that male fungus gnats of a single undescribed Bradysia sp. (Diptera, Sciaridae) act as pollinators and display sexual behaviour on flowers, including wing fanning, abdomen curling and genitalic clasping of the prominent labellum appendage. Gnats only triggered the labellum and became trapped in the flower after attempting pseudocopulation with the appendage, a process necessary for pollen removal and deposition. Male gnats located flowers hidden from view, suggesting long-range attraction is primarily due to floral odour. However, male gnats displayed reduced copulatory behaviour when the labellum was absent and when the labellum appendage was inaccessible, suggesting that appropriate morphology may be required to elicit the copulatory behaviour needed for pollination. Our study is the first detailed investigation of sexual deception of male Sciaridae in Australian orchids and represents an example of convergent evolution with some Neotropical Lepanthes orchids, which also sexually deceive male Bradysia.

Implications of wild cockatoos manufacturing and using tools.

O'Hara et al. (Current Biology, 31, 4512-4520, 2021) show that wild Goffin's cockatoos (Cacatua goffiniana) exhibit tool-related abilities at levels previously demonstrated by nonhuman primates or, in birds, only by those raised in captivity. Their data provide information about the cognitive and ecological underpinnings of this behavior and provide the impetus to search for additional examples of convergent evolution in avian and mammalian lines.

Unprecedented Mushroom Polyketide Synthases Produce the Universal Anthraquinone Precursor.

(Pre‐)anthraquinones are widely distributed natural compounds and occur in plants, fungi, microorganisms, and animals, with atrochrysone (1) as the key biosynthetic precursor. Chemical analyses established mushrooms of the genus Cortinarius—the webcaps—as producers of atrochrysone‐derived octaketide pigments. However, more recent genomic data did not provide any evidence for known atrochrysone carboxylic acid (4) synthases nor any other polyketide synthase (PKS) producing oligocyclic metabolites. Here, we describe an unprecedented class of non‐reducing (NR‐)PKS. In vitro assays with recombinant enzyme in combination with in vivo product formation in the heterologous host Aspergillus niger established CoPKS1 and CoPKS4 of C. odorifer as members of a new class of atrochrysone carboxylic acid synthases. CoPKS4 catalyzed both hepta‐ and octaketide synthesis and yielded 6‐hydroxymusizin (6), along with 4. These first mushroom PKSs for oligocyclic products illustrate how the biosynthesis of bioactive natural metabolites evolved independently in various groups of life.

Convergence Analysis of Rust Fungi and Anther Smuts Reveals Their Common Molecular Adaptation to a Phytoparasitic Lifestyle.

Convergent evolution between distantly related taxa often mirrors adaptation to similar environments. Rust fungi and anther smuts, which belong to different classes in Pucciniomycotina, have independently evolved a phytoparasitic lifestyle, representing an example of convergent evolution in the fungal kingdom. To investigate their adaptations and the genetic bases underlying their phytoparasitic lifestyles, we performed genome-wide convergence analysis of amino acid substitutions, evolutionary rates, and gene gains and losses. Convergent substitutions were detected in ATPeV0D and RP-S27Ae, two genes important for the generation of turgor pressure and ribosomal biosynthesis, respectively. A total of 51 positively selected genes were identified, including eight genes associated with translation and three genes related to the secretion pathway. In addition, rust fungi and anther smuts contained more proteins associated with oligopeptide transporters and vacuolar proteases than did other fungi. For rust fungi and anther smuts, these forms of convergence suggest four adaptive mechanisms for a phytoparasitic lifestyle: 1) reducing the metabolic demand for hyphal growth and penetration at the pre-penetration stage, 2) maintaining the efficiency of protein synthesis during colonization, 3) ensuring the normal secretion of rapidly evolving secreted proteins, and 4) improving the capacity for oligopeptide metabolism. Our results are the first to shed light on the genetic convergence mechanisms and molecular adaptation underlying phytoparasitic lifestyles in fungi.

A Chromosome-Scale Hybrid Genome Assembly of the Extinct Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus).

The extinct Tasmanian tiger or thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus) was a large marsupial carnivore native to Australia. Once ranging across parts of the mainland, the species remained only on the island of Tasmania by the time of European colonization. It was driven to extinction in the early 20th century and is an emblem of native species loss in Australia. The thylacine was a striking example of convergent evolution with placental canids, with which it shared a similar skull morphology. Consequently, it has been the subject of extensive study. While the original thylacine assemblies published in 2018 enabled the first exploration of the species’ genome biology, further progress is hindered by the lack of high-quality genomic resources. Here, we present a new chromosome-scale hybrid genome assembly for the thylacine, which compares favorably with many recent de novo marsupial genomes. In addition, we provide homology-based gene annotations, characterize the repeat content of the thylacine genome, and show that consistent with demographic decline, the species possessed a low rate of heterozygosity even compared to extant, threatened marsupials.

Mating-Type Switching in Budding Yeasts, from Flip/Flop Inversion to Cassette Mechanisms.

Mating-type switching is a natural but unusual genetic control process that regulates cell identity in ascomycete yeasts. It involves physically replacing one small piece of genomic DNA by another, resulting in replacement of the master regulatory genes in the mating pathway and hence a switch of cell type and mating behavior. In this review, we concentrate on recent progress that has been made on understanding the origins and evolution of mating-type switching systems in budding yeasts (subphylum Saccharomycotina). Because of the unusual nature and the complexity of the mechanism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mating-type switching was assumed until recently to have originated only once or twice during yeast evolution. However, comparative genomics analysis now shows that switching mechanisms arose many times independently-at least 11 times in budding yeasts and once in fission yeasts-a dramatic example of convergent evolution. Most of these lineages switch mating types by a flip/flop mechanism that inverts a section of a chromosome and is simpler than the well-characterized 3-locus cassette mechanism (MAT/HML/HMR) used by S. cerevisiae. Mating-type switching (secondary homothallism) is one of the two possible mechanisms by which a yeast species can become self-fertile. The other mechanism (primary homothallism) has also emerged independently in multiple evolutionary lineages of budding yeasts, indicating that homothallism has been favored strongly by natural selection. Recent work shows that HO endonuclease, which makes the double-strand DNA break that initiates switching at the S. cerevisiae MAT locus, evolved from an unusual mobile genetic element that originally targeted a glycolytic gene, FBA1.

Beyond RuBisCO: convergent molecular evolution of multiple chloroplast genes in C4 plants.

BackgroundThe recurrent evolution of the C4 photosynthetic pathway in angiosperms represents one of the most extraordinary examples of convergent evolution of a complex trait. Comparative genomic analyses have unveiled some of the molecular changes associated with the C4 pathway. For instance, several key enzymes involved in the transition from C3 to C4 photosynthesis have been found to share convergent amino acid replacements along C4 lineages. However, the extent of convergent replacements potentially associated with the emergence of C4 plants remains to be fully assessed. Here, we conducted an organelle-wide analysis to determine if convergent evolution occurred in multiple chloroplast proteins beside the well-known case of the large RuBisCO subunit encoded by the chloroplast gene rbcL.MethodsOur study was based on the comparative analysis of 43 C4 and 21 C3 grass species belonging to the PACMAD clade, a focal taxonomic group in many investigations of C4 evolution. We first used protein sequences of 67 orthologous chloroplast genes to build an accurate phylogeny of these species. Then, we inferred amino acid replacements along 13 C4 lineages and 9 C3 lineages using reconstructed protein sequences of their reference branches, corresponding to the branches containing the most recent common ancestors of C4-only clades and C3-only clades. Pairwise comparisons between reference branches allowed us to identify both convergent and non-convergent amino acid replacements between C4:C4, C3:C3 and C3:C4 lineages.ResultsThe reconstructed phylogenetic tree of 64 PACMAD grasses was characterized by strong supports in all nodes used for analyses of convergence. We identified 217 convergent replacements and 201 non-convergent replacements in 45/67 chloroplast proteins in both C4 and C3 reference branches. C4:C4 branches showed higher levels of convergent replacements than C3:C3 and C3:C4 branches. Furthermore, we found that more proteins shared unique convergent replacements in C4 lineages, with both RbcL and RpoC1 (the RNA polymerase beta’ subunit 1) showing a significantly higher convergent/non-convergent replacements ratio in C4 branches. Notably, more C4:C4 reference branches showed higher numbers of convergent vs. non-convergent replacements than C3:C3 and C3:C4 branches. Our results suggest that, in the PACMAD clade, C4 grasses experienced higher levels of molecular convergence than C3 species across multiple chloroplast genes. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the evolution of the C4 photosynthesis pathway.

Hybridization underlies localized trait evolution in cavefish

SummaryIntrogressive hybridization may play an integral role in local adaptation and speciation (Taylor and Larson, 2019). In the Mexican tetra Astyanax mexicanus, cave populations have repeatedly evolved traits including eye loss, sleep loss, and albinism. Of the 30 caves inhabited by A. mexicanus, Chica cave is unique because it contains multiple pools inhabited by putative hybrids between surface and cave populations (Mitchell et al., 1977), providing an opportunity to investigate the impact of hybridization on complex trait evolution. We show that hybridization between cave and surface populations may contribute to localized variation in traits associated with cave evolution, including pigmentation, eye development, and sleep. We also uncover an example of convergent evolution in a circadian clock gene in multiple cavefish lineages and burrowing mammals, suggesting a shared genetic mechanism underlying circadian disruption in subterranean vertebrates. Our results provide insight into the role of hybridization in facilitating phenotypic evolution.

From domestication syndrome to breeding objective: insights into unwanted breakup in common beans to improve shattering

Context Agronomical traits like loss of seed dispersal targeted by ancient human selection are an important milestone of crop domestication. Evolution in plant species is a result of natural and human selection at the time of domestication. Evolution leads to continued improvement of adaptive traits in almost all plant species. Aims Pod shattering, one of the examples of convergent evolution, is defined as breaking up of the pod shell enabling the successful dispersal of seeds mainly in wild species. Since the available climate change models predict an increase in aridity, it is expected that the losses on account of shattering will be aggravated, especially in dry areas. Methods Histological studies and biochemical parameters are increasingly used as surrogates for pod shattering response as they provide key inputs for selecting contrasting genotypes based on differential lignification, role of pectin, fibre, cellulose and total carbohydrate content as well as enzymes such as endopolygalacturonase and β-glucanase and hormones. Key results There is diversity for level of shattering, with race Nueva Granada showing higher rates of pod shattering as compared to the Durango and Jalisco races. Genomics has helped identify several genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL) such as PDH-1, St-1, SHAT-1, WRKY1 and MYB26 that are implicated in various traits related to pod shattering. Conclusions Plant breeders need to introgress shattering resistance into commercial varieties to mitigate the imminent yield losses. Implications This requires an in-depth knowledge of mechanistic, physiological, biochemical and the underlying genetic basis of pod shattering resistance.

Short-range hunters: exploring the function and constraints of water shooting in dwarf gouramis.

Ballistic predation is a rare foraging adaptation: in fishes, most attention has focused on a single genus, the archerfish, known to manipulate water to shoot down prey above the water surface. However, several gourami species also exhibit apparently similar 'shooting' behaviour, spitting water up to 5 cm above the surface. In a series of experiments, we explored the shooting behaviour and aspects of its significance as a foraging ability in the dwarf gourami (Trichogaster lalius). We investigated sex differences in shooting abilities to determine whether gourami shooting is related to the sex-specific bubble nest manufacture where males mix air and water at the surface to form bubbles. We found that, actually, both sexes were equally able to shoot and could learn to shoot a novel target. In a second experiment, we presented untrained gouramis with opportunities to shoot at live prey and found they successfully shot down both fruit flies and crickets. Finally, we explored the effect of target height on shooting performance to establish potential constraints of shooting as a foraging ability. The frequency of attempted shots and success of hitting targets decreased with height, whereas latency to shoot increased. We also observed that repeatable individual differences account for variation in these measures of shooting performance. Together, our results provide evidence that gourami shooting has a foraging function analogous to that of archerfish. Gourami shooting may serve as an example of convergent evolution and provide opportunities for comparative studies into the, as yet unexplored, ecology and evolution of shooting in fishes.

Comparative analysis of the odorants of cilantro (Coriandrum sativum L.) and culantro (Eryngium foetidum L.,) as aromatic crop mimics of family: Apiaceae

Purpose: Fresh leaves of cilantro (Coriandrum sativum L.), and culantro (Eryngium foetidum L.,) are used interchangeably based on similar odor, aroma and flavor and considered culinary substitutes. Cilantro is ethnically called “false coriander” and a mixed method approach to determine the possibility of crop mimicry was reviewed. Critical analysis was done on botanical, phylogenic traits and trees, dendogram, molecular, and phytochemical similarities of the odorants. Findings: The study indicated that C. sativum and E. foetidum, belonged to two different subfamilies of Apiaceae, appeared morphologically divergent, but phytochemically similar in aroma and odorants indicating a classical example of convergent evolution in the plant kingdom. Five odor clusters with over 20 similar phytochemicals with the co‐elution of E‐2‐alkenals and E‐2‐alken‐1‐ols were identified. Greater levels E‐2‐dodecenal in E. foetidum (63.5%) compared to C. sativum, (26.0%) accounted for dominant odor which is found in crop mimics due to selective agricultural practices and the evolution of agricultural races of weeds. Multiple mechanisms explained how plant mimic evolved from “de‐domestication” and hybridization. Evolutionary origins and genetic diversity characterized genomics of E. foetidum as an aggressive aromatic pungent weed, and C. sativum as a fragrant herb. Limitations: There are no limitations in this review. Directions for future research: Organolepticpreference for the essential oils of coriander seeds and a clearer understanding of the phytochemical relationships between C. sativum and E. foetidum are required.