Sea Robins Use Leg-Like Appendages to Taste and Hunt Prey

New research reveals that these unique fish have evolved legs equipped with sensory receptors similar to human taste buds.

Sea robins, a family of fish, use their leg-like appendages to walk on the ocean floor and detect prey buried in the sand.
These appendages, which evolved from pectoral fins, are covered in sensory papillae similar to human taste buds, allowing the fish to chemically sense prey.
Researchers identified the gene tbx3a as crucial for developing these sensory legs, which is also involved in limb development in humans.
The discovery was made after observing other fish following sea robins to feed on prey they uncovered, prompting detailed anatomical and genetic studies.
This adaptation showcases the evolutionary flexibility and innovation in sea robins, with different species exhibiting varied sensory structures and behaviors.