隆德大学和苏塞克斯大学的研究人员发现，脊椎动物可能源自约600万年前一个具有单眼的微小祖先[1]。这项发现表明现代脊椎动物的成对眼睛最终演化自这个古代中央眼睛，而非源于昆虫或鱿鱼的眼睛进化路径[1]。
研究人员通过对不同动物群体光敏细胞的广泛比较分析得出这一结论[1]。这个古代中央眼睛的遗迹至今仍以松果体的形式存在于现代脊椎动物的大脑中[1]。松果体产生褪黑激素，调节昼夜节律和睡眠节奏[1]。这一研究成果已发表于《Current Biology》2026年第36卷第4期[1]。
Researchers from Lund University and the University of Sussex have uncovered evidence that vertebrates may have descended from a microscopic ancestor possessing a single eye approximately 600 million years ago.[1] According to the study, this central eye of the ancient organism ultimately evolved into the paired eyes found in modern vertebrates, with its evolutionary remnant persisting today as the pineal gland within the contemporary brain.[1]
The research, which compared light-sensitive cells across diverse animal groups, reveals a distinct evolutionary pathway for vertebrate vision.[1] The ancestral central eye transformed into the retinas of modern species, rather than following the eye development patterns observed in insects or squid.[1] The pineal gland, the surviving trace of this ancient ocular structure, continues to produce melatonin and regulates circadian rhythms in modern organisms.[1] The findings were published in Current Biology in 2026, Volume 36, Issue 4.[1]