At what evolutionary point do humans and insects have common ancestors?

Question

I just saw an ant outside as I was getting home, and couldn't help but wonder how long ago we shared a common ancestor. We're both eukaryotes, although I'm a chordate and she's an arthropod. We're both coelomates, however. The first coelomates were the Vernanimalcula, which lived some 580 to 600 million years ago. Be that as it may, humans' ancestors (or those organisms that would one day branch off into primates) and insects' ancestors (those that would become arthropods) might have more recent ancestry of only a few hundred million years.

I'd invite the ant in for an extended family get-together, but I wanted to know who are most recent ancestor was first. It'd make for good conversation at our next family reunion. ;)

Answer 1

Humans are vertebrates and arthropods are invertebrates.  About 540 million years ago, Enteropneusta appeared, which refers to about 70 species of worm also known as "acorn worms."  They are sometimes referred to as being the link between invertebrates and vertebrates because they have gill structures that are similar to those of early fish, linking them to the later vertebrate line.  The earliest known chrodate (refers to organisms with a notochord or similar structure) is the Pikaia from 530 million years ago, which is identified as the ancestor to all chordates and vertebrates.  We are vertebrates.  It is likely that our most recent common ancestor is something related to the acorn worm around 540 million years ago during the Cambrian period of the Paleozoic era.

As far as having one over for dinner, the acorn worms will require a nice aquarium fitted with everything to provide for them the environment of the sea floor.

Answer 2

I don't know, but the point at which humans and monkeys have common ancestors is George W Bush.

Answer 3

you need help bro.

Answer 4

None. Humans do not have any ancesters relation ship with animals. If you wish to look for such evidence look into the distance past and you will find an answer but not the one you are looking for.

Answer 5

Hmmm, this probably depends on the insect, and depends on the human.  

Sorry, I could not resist this response.

Answer 6

They don't.

Evolution is a THEORY; an unproven theory. The gaping holes in it are plugged by more theory. No where in science except the theory of evolution is that accepted.

The commonalities among species are due to the fact we have to co-exist in the same general environment.

The fact that there are so many different living things co-existing, even dependent on one another, is a tribute to a Divine Creator.

Answer 7

Very cute, and you are most knowledgeable. But to my understanding, we are not related past perhaps an aeomeba stage. i was under the impression that some fish started to become walking fish....then land mammals... then on and on from there..... I would imagine that ants came from a whole different shute on the family  tree. You know those darned cousins of ours.... the ones we shudder to invite to the family picnic.

Answer 8

It would have been very early in the Cambrian.  The first arthropod fossils were found about  535 million years ago.  It probably would have be a short time before that.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambrian_ex...

Answer 9

Smoke another bowl.................

Answer 10

We don't we are no where near related to insects. And no you can't be Spiderman!

Answer 11

To answer the question, the first drawing of 'Spidey'.   Anyway, why are you asking questions? Seems like you got all the answers (except, it's who OUR most recent .....and how did you identify the ant as female. Are you sure it wasn't your AUNT?)  And, while you're at it, I don't think you're going to gather much of an audience with your lines of conversation.  Just kidding -- you sound quite studious.  You'll probably invent the first pleasant smelling bug spray.