The distribution, physiological function, amino acid sequence and gene structure of myoglobin and myoglobin-like proteins from various taxa are summarized, and their evolution is discussed. Although it has long been thought that all haemoglobins and myoglobins have evolved from a common ancestral gene, the knowledge presently accumulated about the structures of these proteins suggests that there may be three distinct origins: a 'universal globin', a 'compact globin' and an 'IDO-like globin'.