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submitted 1 week ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[-] [email protected] 11 points 1 week ago

Modern fish are often dark on top and light underneath to fool prey/predators but also often colorful. Why do they assume one evolutionary step over the other? That beautiful blimpie belly calls out for decoration!

[-] [email protected] 16 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Functional changes in coloration are much "easier" (read: more likely) to develop through random mutation than functional changes to complex mechanical structures like bone structure or musculature. Given their predecessors were already under selective pressure by predation for millions of years prior, it's reasonable to assume they'd developed countershading (light bottom, dark top). Plus current agnathans are usually pretty dull.

Edit: oh geez, I misunderstood your message. It totally could have been a rainbow party blimp. That mostly depends on what their habitat was like.

[-] [email protected] 12 points 1 week ago

Thanks for editing not deleting because TIL!

[-] [email protected] 10 points 1 week ago

Of course! I'm a biologist, I try to use my powers for good.

this post was submitted on 01 Jun 2025
574 points (98.6% liked)

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