Friday, May 1, 2026

Fish with evolved legs foraging for buried food

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.

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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
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Accent

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.

How much do you know?

Where is the fish, northern sea robin, commonly found?
Pacific Ocean
Arctic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Indian Ocean
How many legs does a sea robin have on each side of its body?
1
2
3
4
What are the legs of a sea robin evolved from?
Tail fin
Dorsal fin
Pectoral fins
Anal fin
What gene controls the special legs of sea robins?
tbx1a
tbx2a
tbx3a
tbx4a
How do sea robins use their evolved legs to find prey?
Swim faster
Breathe underwater
Sense prey in the seabed
Change colors
What did researchers study in sea robins in the lab?
Breeding patterns
Hunting skills
Migration routes
Communication behaviors
This question is required

Test Your Understanding

Start Quiz
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON
Accent
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.

How much do you know?

Where is the fish, northern sea robin, commonly found?
Pacific Ocean
Arctic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Indian Ocean
How many legs does a sea robin have on each side of its body?
1
2
3
4
What are the legs of a sea robin evolved from?
Tail fin
Dorsal fin
Pectoral fins
Anal fin
What gene controls the special legs of sea robins?
tbx1a
tbx2a
tbx3a
tbx4a
How do sea robins use their evolved legs to find prey?
Swim faster
Breathe underwater
Sense prey in the seabed
Change colors
What did researchers study in sea robins in the lab?
Breeding patterns
Hunting skills
Migration routes
Communication behaviors
This question is required

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