The northern sea robin uses its legs to find food in the seabed
Anik Grearson
A fish in the ocean called the northern sea robin has legs that help it find food in the sand. These legs are like tongues and are used to locate prey hidden in the seabed.
The sea robins have three legs on each side of their body that come out from their fins. These legs used to be part of their fins and have evolved into useful sensory organs.
Scientists from Harvard University studied these fish in the lab. They found that some sea robins were good at finding buried food, while others were better at walking. The different types of sea robins had distinct legs for these purposes.
These legs have special bumps with taste receptors and touch-sensitive neurons. The development of these unique legs is controlled by an ancient gene called tbx3a.
Vocabulary List:
- Evolved /ɪˈvoʊlvd/ (verb): Developed gradually over time especially from a simple to a more complex form.
- Robins /ˈrɒb.ɪnz/ (noun): A type of fish known for unique adaptations.
- Sensory /ˈsɛn.sɔːr.i/ (adjective): Relating to sensation or to the physical senses; transmitted or perceived by the senses.
- Receptors /rɪˈsɛptərz/ (noun): Specialized cells or proteins that receive and respond to sensory stimuli.
- Neurons /ˈnjʊərəʊnz/ (noun): Nerve cells that transmit impulses and process information in the nervous system.
- Prey /preɪ/ (noun): An animal that is hunted and eaten by another.
How much do you know?
What is the function of the legs of the northern sea robin?
How many legs does the northern sea robin have on each side of its body?
What have the evolved legs of the sea robins turned into?
What did scientists from Harvard University study in the lab?
What do the special bumps on the legs of sea robins have?
Which gene controls the development of the unique legs of the northern sea robin?