A fish in the Atlantic Ocean called a northern sea robin has evolved legs. These legs help the fish find food buried in the sand. They use these legs like a tongue to sense prey in the seabed.
The sea robins have three legs on each side of their body. These legs come from their pectoral fins. They are good at finding prey hidden in the sand.
Researchers brought live sea robins to their lab to study their hunting skills. Some sea robins are good at finding buried prey while others are better at catching prey on the surface.
Sea robins have evolved special legs that can move independently and quickly. These legs are controlled by a gene called tbx3a.
This study shows how sea robins have evolved unique legs to help them survive in their ocean habitat.
Vocabulary List:
- Evolved /ɪˈvɔːlvd/ (verb): Developed or changed gradually often into a more advanced form.
- Pectoral /ˈpɛk.tər.əl/ (adjective): Relating to the front of the body or the chest area.
- Prey /preɪ/ (noun): An animal hunted or seized for food.
- Habitat /ˈhæb.ɪ.tæt/ (noun): The natural environment in which an organism lives.
- Buried /ˈbɛr.id/ (adjective): Covered or concealed often by soil or sand.
- Independently /ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəntli/ (adverb): In a way that is free from outside control or influence.
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