Bioessays April 2013 PMID 23315654

Multicellularity arose several times in the evolution of eukaryotes (response to DOI 10.1002/bies.201100187).

Laura Wegener Parfrey, Daniel J G Lahr

Mentions

21
Peak: 5 in Dec 2023
across 6 sources since Oct 2014

Extended reach

62,517
potential audience

Total likes

1,128

Video views

48,389

Mentions per month

Oct 2014 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter7 posts
  • News6 articles
  • Facebook3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit2 posts
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone reflects curiosity and recognition of the study's importance, exemplified by comments like noting multicellularity evolved multiple times and acknowledging the research's potential to influence understanding of evolution. Words like 'several times' and 'complex multicellular life' indicate a neutral interest, while the absence of detailed critique or extensive debate suggests moderate engagement and perceived impact.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions recognize the significance of the research, acknowledging its contribution to understanding multicellularity's complex evolution, though some are neutral or uncertain about its revolutionary impact.

InterestModerate interest

Participants seem moderately engaged, showing curiosity about the topic's implications but lacking enthusiastic enthusiasm or detailed discussion.

EngagementNeutral engagement

The conversations are somewhat superficial, with few posts diving into detailed analysis or critical evaluation of the study's methods or conclusions.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations suggest the research might influence future studies but hasn't yet caused a major shift in the scientific community or public perception.

Abstract in brief

  • Multicellularity evolved multiple times in eukaryotes, with Dictyostelium (a type of cellular slime mold) showing cell connections similar to animal epithelial cells, suggesting a possible shared ancestral trait.
  • Phylogenetic studies of key genes indicate that these similarities might not be due to a single common origin, as different lineages show different patterns, and losing multicellularity would be necessary in many unicellular relatives if it started only once.
  • The observed structural and mechanistic similarities are more likely the result of convergent evolution, where different organisms independently develop similar features due to similar environmental pressures, rather than a single evolutionary event.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Hoyaboya
@Hoyaboya11 · X

YouTube channel "Translational Science Engaging North Dakota" (2025-09-22) 「複雑な多細胞生命の失われた枝」 Lost Branches of Complex Multicellular Life https://t.co/Eg8Ue2UBZP

Sep 27, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 441 followers View post →
ScienceQriosity
@ScienceQriosity · X

@DerickMcAfee @mhoyes62 @rkdoctr @wendelltalks https://t.co/IejFkHsS6v

Feb 9, 2024 · 1 like · 1,110 followers View post →
Winson Tang
@winsontang · X

Multicellularity arose several times in the evolution of eukaryotes (2013) https://t.co/vTRXN4ziuA

Dec 26, 2023 · 9,041 followers View post →
Hacker News 20
@betterhn20 · X

Multicellularity arose several times in the evolution of eukaryotes (2013) https://t.co/fGEaaHJm7X (https://t.co/0PjfAnpMBF)

Dec 26, 2023 · 2,267 followers View post →
OxS
@splusoh · X

Multicellularity arose several times in the evolution of eukaryotes (Response to DOI 10.1002/bies.201100187) https://t.co/8mJrbCfjSD

Dec 26, 2023 · 635 followers View post →
Hoyaboya
@Hoyaboya11 · X

RT @Hoyaboya11: YouTube channel "Translational Science Engaging North Dakota" (2025-09-22) 「複雑な多細胞生命の失われた枝」 Lost Branches of Complex Multic…

Sep 27, 2025 · 1 share · 441 followers View post →

All mentions

Hoyaboya
@Hoyaboya11 · X

RT @Hoyaboya11: YouTube channel "Translational Science Engaging North Dakota" (2025-09-22) 「複雑な多細胞生命の失われた枝」 Lost Branches of Complex Multic…

Sep 27, 2025 · 1 share · 441 followers View post →
Hoyaboya
@Hoyaboya11 · X

YouTube channel "Translational Science Engaging North Dakota" (2025-09-22) 「複雑な多細胞生命の失われた枝」 Lost Branches of Complex Multicellular Life https://t.co/Eg8Ue2UBZP

Sep 27, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 441 followers View post →
ScienceQriosity
@ScienceQriosity · X

@DerickMcAfee @mhoyes62 @rkdoctr @wendelltalks https://t.co/IejFkHsS6v

Feb 9, 2024 · 1 like · 1,110 followers View post →
OxS
@splusoh · X

Multicellularity arose several times in the evolution of eukaryotes (Response to DOI 10.1002/bies.201100187) https://t.co/8mJrbCfjSD

Dec 26, 2023 · 635 followers View post →
Hacker News 20
@betterhn20 · X

Multicellularity arose several times in the evolution of eukaryotes (2013) https://t.co/fGEaaHJm7X (https://t.co/0PjfAnpMBF)

Dec 26, 2023 · 2,267 followers View post →
Winson Tang
@winsontang · X

Multicellularity arose several times in the evolution of eukaryotes (2013) https://t.co/vTRXN4ziuA

Dec 26, 2023 · 9,041 followers View post →
Sallyhafez
@Sallyhafez8 · X

New top story on Hacker News: Multicellularity arose several times in the evolution of eukaryotes (2013) https://t.co/pxvmuyqMUd December 26, 2023 at 01:38PM arbesman 3 https://t.co/pxvmuyqMUd 0 https://t.co/bOO7Ezwqst

Dec 26, 2023 · 70 followers View post →
Evolution of Multicellular Organisms | PDF | Organisms | Biology
News

doi:10.1002/bies.201200143 (https://doi.org/10.1 002%2Fbies.201200143). PMID 23315654 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23315654). S2CID 13872783 (https ...

Dec 12, 2025 View →
Multicellularity: Evolution and Diversity | PDF | Organisms | Biology
News

the evolution of eukaryotes" (PDF). BioEssays. 35 (4): 339–347. doi:10.1002/bies.201200143 . PMID 23315654 . S2CID 13872783 . 9.

Dec 12, 2025 View →
Eukaryote | PDF | Eukaryotes | Ploidy
News

doi:10.1002/bies.201200143 (https://doi.org/10. 1002%2Fbies.201200143). PMID 23315654 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23315654). S2CID 13872783 (https ...

Dec 12, 2025 View →
Kliman, Richard M Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Biology | PDF ...
News

doi:10.1002/bies.201200143. doi:10.1038/nature11180. Peterson, K.J., Butterfield, N.J., 2005. Origin of the Eumetazoa: Testing ecological Tyler, S., 2003 ...

Dec 12, 2025 View →
Psychedelic Gnosis
Facebook

Animals & Fungi: An Evolutionary Link - https: //onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/bies. 201200143 Nature isn't an enemy; Nature are collective allies ...

Dec 12, 2025 View →
Eukaryote | PDF | Eukaryotes | Cell (Biology)
News

doi:10.1002/bies.201200143. PMID 23315654. S2CID 13872783. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2023. Popper ...

Nov 4, 2025 View →
Best argument against free will -- from CosmicSkeptic. : r/samharris
Reddit

... several times in the evolution of eukaryotes, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/bies.201200143 · Clerseri. • 2y ago.

Dec 9, 2023 View →
Psychedelic Gnosis - Facebook
Facebook

... 10.1002/bies. 201200143 Nature isn't an enemy; Nature are collective allies seeking balance to evolve. You are not an individual; You are a ...

Sep 27, 2019 View →
Any books or info on human optical system evolution?
Facebook

doi:10.1002/bies. 201200143 Lyons NA, Kolter R. On the evolution of bacterial multicellularity. Current Opinion in Microbiology. 2015;24:21-28.

Jul 28, 2019 View →
Multicellular Organism | PDF | Biological Evolution | Life Sciences
News

doi:10.1002/bies.201200143 (https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fbies.201200143). PMID 23315654 (https://ww w.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23315654). 7 ...

Jun 1, 2019 View →
Development of multicellular life probably not the great filter (nature ...
Reddit

doi:10.1002/bies.201200143. PMID 23315654. u/tears_of_a_grad avatar · tears_of_a_grad. • 7y ago.

Feb 22, 2019 View →
Cada vez más vida, cada vez más pronto — Cuaderno de Cultura ...
Blogs

DOI: 10.1002/bies.201200143. v Nemchin, A. A.; Whitejouse, M. J.; Menneken, M.; Geisler, T.; Pidgeon, R. T.; Wild, S. A.: «A light carbon ...

Oct 10, 2014 View →