Conservation of globin genes in the “living fossil” Latimeria chalumnae and reconstruction of the evolution of the vertebrate globin family

► The coelacanth is the only known vertebrate with the full globin repertoire. ► Thus the last common ancestor of the tetrapods had eight globins. ► Current globin repertoires have been shaped by gene losses, but not by innovations. ► Gene losses may be associated with physiological adaptations. ► Common origin of embryonic hemoglobin α-chains.