TED talks : Clues to prehistoric times, found in blind cavefish
by Prosanta Chakrabarty
Ichthyology is a study of fishes. Recent years, scientists explore cave to find new species, particularly cavefish. From such fish, we can know more about geology, like how land changed and moved, and biology, such as evolution of animal being blind. Cavefish is blind because it adapts with dark and cold environment.
New species has been found in Southern Indiana which gives us information that such fish start to migrate from river few millions years ago. It shows great evolution which it loses one function, that is eyesight, but other functions still are maintained. On the other discovery, a new species from Madagascar indicated a similarity with Australia's cave fish. Such evidence gives a proof that Australia and Madagascar were singular continent in the past. However, cavefishes' existence is in danger situation since their habitats, the caves, are destroyed.
by Prosanta Chakrabarty
Ichthyology is a study of fishes. Recent years, scientists explore cave to find new species, particularly cavefish. From such fish, we can know more about geology, like how land changed and moved, and biology, such as evolution of animal being blind. Cavefish is blind because it adapts with dark and cold environment.
New species has been found in Southern Indiana which gives us information that such fish start to migrate from river few millions years ago. It shows great evolution which it loses one function, that is eyesight, but other functions still are maintained. On the other discovery, a new species from Madagascar indicated a similarity with Australia's cave fish. Such evidence gives a proof that Australia and Madagascar were singular continent in the past. However, cavefishes' existence is in danger situation since their habitats, the caves, are destroyed.