Something's Fishy in the Tree of Life
This article is about a recent study published by researchers at the university of Oklahoma. The study provides new insight on relationships and the evolution of fish species. The researchers used genetic data and physical characteristics to organize species of fish into a "tree of life". This extensive DNA analysis is the most complete study of the evolution of fish ever. The study both supported previous hypotheses about fish relationships as well as showed new groupings of species. The article gives the example of the streamlined tuna and marlin, who were once thought to be closely related. It appears that tuna are actually more related to seahorses, and marlins to flatfish. This new information could be helpful to disease research and climate change research, now that scientists know which species of fish are actually more closely related.
NOS Themes:
- Science is collaborative
- Science is based on evidence
- Role of motivation and curiosity
Article found here
I love it when previous ideas are transformed by new data. I think it’s great that this new tree has been made, and I really hope that they can use the information about these fish to learn about climate change as well. I read the article, and I find it fascinating how they used technology to organize the fish so efficiently.
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