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the claim

Subterranean environments often lead to the evolution of similar traits in different animals, such as atrophied eyes and a translucent body.

the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
Recorded sources
9 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that subterranean environments often lead to the evolution of similar traits in different animals, such as atrophied eyes and a translucent body?

Yes. Subterranean environments consistently drive convergent evolution across diverse animal taxa, frequently resulting in shared troglomorphic traits such as blindness, depigmentation, and elongated appendages.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 9 sources for, 0 against · Last checked

The analysis

The retrieved papers consistently demonstrate that animals inhabiting caves and subterranean environments across various taxa (fish, spiders, millipedes, insects, and planarians) independently evolve strikingly similar traits, such as eye regression, pigmentation loss, and appendage elongation. This represents a classic textbook example of convergent evolution. There is no evidence refuting the claim.

Evidence for · 9
Astyanax surface and cave fish morphs
2020
Astyanax cavefish morphs exhibit convergent eye and pigmentation regression compared to surface relatives.
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Jeffery, W. R. (2020). Astyanax surface and cave fish morphs. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13227-020-00159-6

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More for · 8
Spiders in caves.
2017
Spiders in caves show unique adaptations to the hypogean medium, such as blindness.
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S, M. & M, I. (2017). Spiders in caves.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.0193

Convergent Evolution of Unique Morphological Adaptations to a Subterranean Environment in Cave Millipedes (Diplopoda).
2017
Cave millipedes across multiple orders display convergent morphological traits like lighter body color and elongation.
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W, L., S, G., T, W., & M, T. (2017). Convergent Evolution of Unique Morphological Adaptations to a Subterranean Environment in Cave Millipedes (Diplopoda).. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0170717

Systemic paralogy and function of retinal determination network homologs in arachnids.
2020
Cave arachnids display troglomorphisms such as blindness and depigmentation.
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G, G., JA, B., CR, K., JT, Z., JM, Z., S, A., E, G., & PP, S. (2020). Systemic paralogy and function of retinal determination network homologs in arachnids.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-020-07149-x

Mechanisms of pigmentation loss in subterranean fishes
2008
Subterranean fishes routinely exhibit regression of eyes and melanic pigmentation.
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Felice, V., Visconti, M. A., & Trajano, E. (2008). Mechanisms of pigmentation loss in subterranean fishes. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1679-62252008000400015

New oversize troglobitic species of Campodeidae in Japan (Diplura)
2018
Troglomorphic diplurans show clear convergent features related to elongated appendages and body shape.
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Sendra, A., Yoshizawa, K., & Ferreira, R. L. (2018). New oversize troglobitic species of Campodeidae in Japan (Diplura). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.27.28575

Convergent Reduction of Ovariole Number Associated with Subterranean Life in Beetles.
2015
Obligate subterranean beetles show convergent traits such as extreme reductions in ovarioles associated with cave life.
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A, F. & D, P. (2015). Convergent Reduction of Ovariole Number Associated with Subterranean Life in Beetles.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0131986

A Splicing Mutation in mitfa is Involved in the Depigmentation of Cavefish Triplophysa rosa.
2025
The cavefish Triplophysa rosa exhibits convergent depigmentation and loss of eyes in subterranean habitats.
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M, Z., Q, Z., J, H., M, Z., B, G., Y, Z., & F, M. (2025). A Splicing Mutation in mitfa is Involved in the Depigmentation of Cavefish Triplophysa rosa.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf175

Reduced adult stem cell fate specification led to eye reduction in cave planarians.
2025
Cave planarians display convergent eye reduction as an adaptation to dark environments.
Get citation
LO, S., TF, C., KD, A., PW, R., & FD, B. (2025). Reduced adult stem cell fate specification led to eye reduction in cave planarians.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54478-6

What does the evidence say?

The retrieved papers consistently demonstrate that animals inhabiting caves and subterranean environments across various taxa (fish, spiders, millipedes, insects, and planarians) independently evolve strikingly similar traits, such as eye regression, pigmentation loss, and appendage elongation. This represents a classic textbook example of convergent evolution. There is no evidence refuting the claim.

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