Nature journal reshapes the historical understanding of fish evolution. Fossilized fish and various marine organisms have frequently played a crucial role in groundbreaking scientific findings, and this case is no exception. The research united teams from the Canadian Museum of Nature and the University of Chicago to examine a jawless fish known as Norselaspis glacialis.
Norselaspis glacialis is closely allied with early jawed vertebrates. Utilizing X-ray imaging, the researchers found that this ancient fish exhibited characteristics previously believed to emerge only after the evolution of jaws. This indicates that fundamental advancements in sensory capabilities and locomotion occurred prior to the development of jaws, which contests the notion that jaws were the catalyst for early evolutionary processes. Rather, researchers propose that jaws may have fully developed after existing alterations.
This investigation is significant for not only comprehending the evolutionary transitions of fish and their influence on aquatic habitats and the broader planet, but also for gaining insights into human evolution. One of the scientific researchers involved, Tetsuto Miyashita, expanded on this concept to the Canadian Museum of Nature: “These are the opening acts for a key episode in our own deep evolutionary history.”
