(Image source: reefbuilders.com)
BY CHELSEA MCGARTLAND
You're watching multisource video news analysis from Newsy.
Protoanguilla (Proto-angeela) palau (Pal-ow)-- No you don’t need a new vaccine, but you might need some scuba gear to see this new-- ancient eel. The International Business Times tells us just why this eel is so unique.
“...scientists say its features resemble those of primitive eels which lived in the early Mesozoic era... The similarities include a disproportionately large head, a short compressed body, collar-like openings on the gills, rays on the caudal fin and a jawbone tip called a premaxilla.”
It’s not just that these eels are old-- they’re ancient! Discover Magazine tells us just how ancient we’re talking here.
“By analyzing the eels’ mitochondrial DNA, the researchers learned that the eels date back to 200 million years ago, 100 million years earlier than the oldest eel fossil that scientists have found so far.”
The DNA of the eels has been largely unchanged since that time, placing them firmly in a category called ‘living fossils.’-- But there’s no amber encased mosquito to blame for this one, The Daily Mail explains what it means to be a living fossil.
“The term was first used by Charles Darwin in his book On The Origin of Species to describe species that have survived for millions of years with barely any evolution due to 'having inhabited a confined area, and from having thus been exposed to less severe competition.'”
In a manner of speaking, the eels decided not to fix what wasn’t broken. Discovery news wonders-- ‘Now that we’ve found the eel, how do we protect it?’ Masaki (Massakee) Miya (Me-uh), one of the men who discovered the eel, expressed his concern about its safety to Discovery News.
“‘Professional as well as amateur divers are always curious about animals and those working for the aquarium trade are notorious for trying to keep every animal in their tanks,’ Miya said. ‘We should promote a campaign for preserving animals to the Palau government shortly after the (study's) publication.’”
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