Evolution in seahorses has proceeded in some remarkably speedy ways so it does appear there has been some galloping in their history, even if it was not the kind land horses do. (Science Daily: The galloping evolution in seahorses)
Barbour's Seepferd (Hippocampus barbouri) is shown.
Credit: Ralf Schneider
Barbour's Seepferd (Hippocampus barbouri) is shown.
- SD
How about that beauty, huh?
Without a doubt, the seahorse belongs to Darwin's "endless forms most beautiful." Its body form is one of a kind. It has neither a tail nor pelvic fin, it swims vertically, bony plates reinforce its entire body and it has no teeth, a rare feature in fish. Another peculiarity is that male seahorses are the ones to become pregnant. The genome project, comprising six evolutionary biologists from Professor Axel Meyer's research team from Konstanz and researchers from China and Singapore, sequenced and analyzed the genome of the tiger tail seahorse. They obtained new molecular evolutionary results that are relevant for biodiversity research: the loss and duplication of genes as well as the loss of regulative elements in its genome have both contributed to the rapid evolution of the seahorse. The results will be published as the cover story in Nature on 15 December 2016.
- SD
Read the article for the full detail of how seahorses have treated evolution like the Kentucky Derby or it treated them that way, depending on your philosophical persuasion.
For this one we simply marvel at the extraordinary diversity of life and the marvelously-different ways it exists. One of the favored themes in "Jurassic Park" was 'life will find a way' and it most indubitably will. That seahorse up there is living proof of it.
Ed: or he says that about us.
Quite so, Watson.
7 comments:
The seahorse is God's sense of humor. Just like the platypus.
Just as the water molecule is proof he didnt always get it right andchad to make corrections to his model
He's so gloriously useless or looks that way to us. I still think his best practical joke was putting our manly bits on the outside. Why, God? Why?
This article wasn't getting much attention and that surprised me since it was finally something which wasn't medical. I love these creatures in part because they're so odd and also because they're so helpless but they are highly clever about it.
Little Princess loves them. We are going to Cinti Aquarium next week Her favorites are the Sea Dragons. But my favorite is her Mom Aunt and herself will dress in penquin outfits to go visit the penquins. They are set up with a behind the scenes visits with the penquins.
Check your email for a usable picture
That sounds so outstandingly cool. Blow that Little Princess away!
I did get the pic and this is a riot. Does usable mean 'ok to post?'
Yes if you find it amusing
It's wild and thanks. I'll have that posted in seconds since it will fit right into the last article.
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