Newly compiled genetic data reveals that the celebrated Coelacanth species, loosely referred to as a "living dinosaur," has actually been evolving in the finest neo-Darwinian tradition and even during the most recent 10 million years. Some 62 of its most recently acquired genes are the product of Horizontal gene transfers.
Most of us transfer jeans vertically; except fat people that have to lay down on the bed to do it.
But, exactly how many years has this fish's genes gone unchanged?
It has been commonly said that the Coelacanth (I think there are more than one species) is a lobe-finned fish that first appears in the fossil record 360 million years ago and has persisted to this day without evolving. First known only from fossil evidence and previously thought to have long been extinct, the first live specimen was discovered in 1938.
Of course, they do not have any DNA samples from the oldest fossils, or any Coelacanth fossils (that I'm aware of.) These findings, that it has acquired new genes in its DNA during the most recent 10 million years, are inferred, and I cannot explain how they come to that conclusion. I guess it's partly apparent from the article. I'd have to review it more carefully.
[This message has been edited by rinselberg (edited 02-10-2021).]
One of the first people to encounter the coelacanth in the twentieth century described it as poor smelling, "mucus-covered" - a quality rarely associated with decent food.
Up in your corner of the world, they probably call it something fancy like Bhindi Arcadien, served with a fine langostino etuffee.
I had to look that up. Squat lobster. I was curious because I have eaten what seems like 9 gondola carloads of Langusta (spiny lobster), mostly during the years I lived in Cuba. They were everywhere there in Guantanamo Bay, huge in size, very sweet taste and there was no limit on them at that time. We probably had them 2-3 times each week.
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 02-10-2021).]