Spatially resolved single-cell atlas reveals the macroevolutionary trajectory of animal hearts

S Shanshan Lian (Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) W Wei Wang Y Yaoxin Liu (Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.) M Meina Lu (Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) W Wentao Han (Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) J Jiaxin Luo (Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) X Xuejiao Zhang (Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) Y Yue Pang (College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.) Y Yuru Li (Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) Y Yufeng Li X Xin Dang (State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Institute of Advanced Clinical Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.) P Peiyan Wang (School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.) Y Yating Qin (BGI Research, Qingdao, China.) N Ning Tan (Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.) F Fang Zhang (Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) J Jin Zhang S Shuai Gao (Women and Children’s Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.) R Runyi Zhang (Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) L Lidong Guo (BGI Research, Qingdao, China.) L Lei Jiang P Pengchong Zhang (Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) Y Yuehuan Zhang (South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou, China.) Z Zhe Qu S Shanshan Pan (BGI Research, Qingdao, China.) Y Yue Zhang N Naina Hu (Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) Y Yadong Chen (BGI Research, Qingdao, China.) Y Yun Cao (Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) W Wenbin Li (College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.) X Xiaomei Chen (Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) J Junjie Shi (BGI Research, Qingdao, China.) S Shuaiqi Yang (Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) Y Yiran Li Q Qiuyun Song (BGI Research, Qingdao, China.) L Lisui Bao (Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) Y Yuli Li X Xiawei Liu (BGI Research, Qingdao, China.) J Jing Wang (Hunan Cancer Hospital Changsha China) L Lingling Zhang R Rui Li X Xin Yu (BGI Research, Qingdao, China.) T Tao Yang J Jing Chen L Ling Li M Mengqi Zhang L Lei Li R Ruihua Zhang (BGI Research, Qingdao, China.) H Hongyan Li (Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) Y Ying Gu (BGI Research, Shenzhen, China.) X Xun Xu H Huanming Yang (BGI Research, Shenzhen, China.) Z Zhenmin Bao (Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) C C. Geoffrey Burns (Division of Basic and Translational Cardiovascular Research, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.) C Caroline E. Burns (Division of Basic and Translational Cardiovascular Research, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.) R Robert G. Kelly (Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS UMR 7288, IBDM, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France.) J Jianxun Wang (School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.) Y Yang Zhao Y Ying Su (Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) G Guangyi Fan (BGI Research, Qingdao, China.) Q Qun Liu (BGI Research, Qingdao, China.) S Shi Wang (Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.) J Ji-Feng Fei (Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.) S Silin Pan (Women and Children’s Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.) L Long Zhao (Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.)

Abstract

Animal hearts display diverse anatomical structures during adaptive evolution. Here, we present a multi-omics atlas of adult hearts from 27 species across chordates, arthropods, and mollusks. Joint analysis indicates that Bilateria hearts share a core gene repertoire, taking a stepwise “add-on” approach as a universal evolutionary strategy. The proto-heart is populated by key cell types, including cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial, and neural cells, which maintained core signatures while evolving with shifts in living environments and corresponding adaptations in the cardiovascular system. Additionally, we reveal an evolutionarily conserved cardiomyocyte state dynamic potentially linked to cardiac development and stress responses. Finally, we identify a common molecular program underpinning chamber evolution from a ventricular foundation. Together, this work establishes a resource for understanding the intrinsic mechanisms of heart evolution.

Article Details

Journal Science
Volume / Issue Vol. 1, Issue 1
Published July 23, 2026
ISSN 0036-8075
Publisher American Association for the Advancement of Science

Journal Info

Science

American Association for the Advancement of Science

ISSN: 0036-8075 Social Sciences

Authors (64)

S

Shanshan Lian

Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

W

Wei Wang

Y

Yaoxin Liu

Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.

M

Meina Lu

Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

W

Wentao Han

Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

J

Jiaxin Luo

Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

X

Xuejiao Zhang

Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

Y

Yue Pang

College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.

Y

Yuru Li

Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

Y

Yufeng Li

X

Xin Dang

State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Institute of Advanced Clinical Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.

P

Peiyan Wang

School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.

Y

Yating Qin

BGI Research, Qingdao, China.

N

Ning Tan

Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.

F

Fang Zhang

Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

J

Jin Zhang

S

Shuai Gao

Women and Children’s Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.

R

Runyi Zhang

Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

L

Lidong Guo

BGI Research, Qingdao, China.

L

Lei Jiang

P

Pengchong Zhang

Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

Y

Yuehuan Zhang

South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou, China.

Z

Zhe Qu

S

Shanshan Pan

BGI Research, Qingdao, China.

Y

Yue Zhang

N

Naina Hu

Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

Y

Yadong Chen

BGI Research, Qingdao, China.

Y

Yun Cao

Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

W

Wenbin Li

College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.

X

Xiaomei Chen

Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

J

Junjie Shi

BGI Research, Qingdao, China.

S

Shuaiqi Yang

Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

Y

Yiran Li

Q

Qiuyun Song

BGI Research, Qingdao, China.

L

Lisui Bao

Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

Y

Yuli Li

X

Xiawei Liu

BGI Research, Qingdao, China.

J

Jing Wang

Hunan Cancer Hospital Changsha China

L

Lingling Zhang

R

Rui Li

X

Xin Yu

BGI Research, Qingdao, China.

T

Tao Yang

J

Jing Chen

L

Ling Li

M

Mengqi Zhang

L

Lei Li

R

Ruihua Zhang

BGI Research, Qingdao, China.

H

Hongyan Li

Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

Y

Ying Gu

BGI Research, Shenzhen, China.

X

Xun Xu

H

Huanming Yang

BGI Research, Shenzhen, China.

Z

Zhenmin Bao

Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

C

C. Geoffrey Burns

Division of Basic and Translational Cardiovascular Research, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

C

Caroline E. Burns

Division of Basic and Translational Cardiovascular Research, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

R

Robert G. Kelly

Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS UMR 7288, IBDM, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France.

J

Jianxun Wang

School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.

Y

Yang Zhao

Y

Ying Su

Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

G

Guangyi Fan

BGI Research, Qingdao, China.

Q

Qun Liu

BGI Research, Qingdao, China.

S

Shi Wang

Fang Zongxi Center for Marine Evo-Devo and MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.

J

Ji-Feng Fei

Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.

S

Silin Pan

Women and Children’s Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.

L

Long Zhao

Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education) and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.