A new study reveals a hidden genetic change that may have powered the rise of animals with backbones. Credit: Shutterstock Scientists at the University of St Andrews have identified an important missing piece in understanding how animals with backbones first evolved. This includes mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. The findings help explain how vertebrates emerged and diversified from simpler animal ancestors. The research was published February 2 in the journal BMC Biology . In the study,