Evolution works as a logical process, directed by numerous contingencies that shape the future of living beings. Species' survival often relies on how well it adjusts to its surroundings, the effect of the presence or absence of prey and predators, and what advantages its body plan provides. Over time, certain designs prove so effective that they appear again and again in unrelated species.
One remarkable example of this repetition can be seen in the world of crustaceans. Across millions of years, different species have independently developed a similar, crab-like form. This process, called carcinization, raises many questions and helps us understand how evolution works.
In this gallery, we look at how nature keeps returning to the same body plan, as if it were a blueprint for survival and peak performance. Intrigued? Click to know more.