Fastest evolving animal
- Who
- Tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus
- What
- 1.37:0.2 ratio
- Where
- New Zealand
- When
- Not applicable
The tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), a unique reptile endemic to New Zealand, is evolving at a rate almost 10 times that of the average for all animals. In a report published in the journal Trends in Genetics in March 2008, it was revealed that this species is making about 1.37 substitutions per base per every million years, compared to the average of just 0.2.