Thu Sep 26 15:00:01 UTC 2024: ## Walking Fish Offer Clues to Human Evolution: Sea Robins’ Legs Reveal Genetic Secrets
**Woods Hole, MA** – A team of researchers led by Dr. Corey Allard at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA, has discovered the remarkable sensory capabilities of sea robins, ocean fish known for their six leg-like appendages. Their findings, published in two back-to-back papers in Current Biology, shed light on the evolution of novel sensory organs and provide insights into the genetic underpinnings of adaptation.
Sea robins utilize their legs for a variety of activities, including walking, digging, and detecting prey. The research team, including collaborators from Stanford University and other institutions, discovered that the legs of a specific species, *Prionotus carolinus*, are highly sensitive to touch and chemical signals. These legs are shovel-shaped and covered in protrusions called papillae, similar to human taste buds, which allow them to detect buried prey. In contrast, another species, *P. evolans*, lacks these sensory capabilities and uses its legs primarily for locomotion.
Through detailed anatomical and genetic analyses, the researchers identified the specific gene transcription factors responsible for the development and function of sea robin legs. They also generated hybrids between the two species to explore the genetic basis for the differences in leg shape and sensory capabilities.
“This research offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolutionary mechanisms that drive adaptation,” explains Dr. Nicholas Bellono, Allard’s mentor and professor at the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. “Sea robins, with their unique legs, provide a powerful model organism for studying how evolution allows for adaptation to very specific environments.”
This research has profound implications for understanding human evolution. The genetic pathways involved in sea robin leg development share similarities with those that control limb formation in other animals, including humans. By studying these evolutionary adaptations in fish, scientists can gain insights into the mechanisms behind human bipedalism, the defining characteristic of our species.
“It’s remarkable how this research has gone from observing the behavior of these fascinating creatures to identifying the specific genes involved and even proposing an evolutionary hypothesis,” adds Dr. Bellono. “This is a testament to the power of scientific inquiry, where curiosity and an open mind can lead to groundbreaking discoveries.”
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