The origins of Chimaeroid fish discovery were found by putting a 280 million-year-old fossil in a high-definition CT scan. The result showed that the fossil resembles the chimaeras, a group of cartilaginous fish related to sharks.
Analysis of the brain case of Dwykaselachus oosthuizeni, a fish-like fossil from South Africa. Results show that telltale structures of the brain, nostrils, major cranial nerves, and inner ear belonging to modern-day chimaeras.
This discovery allows scientists to firmly anchor chimaeroid, the last major surviving vertebrate group to be properly situated on the tree of life. This discovery shows the early development of the ancestors of sharks specifically the chimaeras.
Michael Coates, PhD, professor of organismal biology and anatomy at the University of Chicago who led the study, says, there has always been uncertainty in the classification of chimaera. Because Chimaeroids belong somewhere close to the sharks and rays.
Coates said, chimaeras are unusual throughout the long span of their fossil record. And this is the reason why it is hard to identify how chimaeras become what they are today. Origins of chimaeroid fish discovery enlightens the wonders.
According to the Science Daily, there are 50 living species included in the chimaeras. They are commonly known as ratfish, ghost sharks, rabbit fish, St. Joseph sharks or elephant sharks. They represent one of four fundamental divisions of modern vertebrate biodiversity.
They represent one of four fundamental divisions of modern vertebrate biodiversity. With big eyes and tooth plates adapted for grinding prey.
According to the Daily Mail Online, the fossil was dug up from the rocks beneath South Africa's Karoo desert in the 1980s.
Origins of the chimaeroid fish discovery led Prof Coates to say that 'We can now say the first radiation of cartilaginous fishes after the end Devonian extinction was chimaeras - in abundance. It differs from the knowledge we know today where sharks are far more common.
Origins of chimaeroid fish discovery has led scientist to identify what the creature come from and unleash so many answers to questions, a really great discovery for the year.
