One of our interests at the RVC is examining the early history of tetrapods (four-legged vertebrates) and how their ancestors made the transition from water to land. Some studies have examined species of living fishes that can move on land, such as mudskippers and lungfish, but although they are able to make do using their…
Tag: fish
#fossilfriday: Head of Romundina , a 415 million year-old fish, gives glimpse into jaw evolution.
One of the most significant evolutionary innovations in early vertebrates was the jaw. Jawless fishes such as lampreys and hagfish have rows of teeth around the mouth opening which are used to rasp at prey, whereas most modern jawed fish and other vertebrates (collectively Gnathostomes) have an upper and lower jaw, with the lower jaw usually…
In Focus: ‘Skin teeth’ stories: using shark denticles to look to their past
Our guest post this week comes from Erin Dillon, a short-term fellow at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. If you would like to contribute a guest post, please get in touch on Twitter or Facebook. What were shark communities like before humans? We know that shark populations have waned significantly over the past several centuries, but we don’t yet…
Butterfish (Pholis gunnellus) out of water?
These fabulous fish are found living happily along the sea shore and can be found among the rocks at low tides in north-west Europe. They are highly unusual in that when caught in low water they are still able to breathe using their gills! The characteristic spots along their back may act as ‘false eyes’ to…
Shark denticles, scanning electron microscope
Shark skin is covered in thousands of tiny, tooth-like scales called denticles. The shape of the denticles varies between different species, and can not only be used to identify modern animals, but can be adapted to provide greater protection, minimise drag or even allow the passage of bioluminescence (light-up sharks!). Image courtesy of Erin Dillon
Branchial basket of the dogfish Squalus acanthias
The branchial basket is a cartilagenous structure which supports the gills (around the fine branches at either side). Image courtesy of RVC
Anatomy To You 