Chimaera’s are most closely related to sharks, although their evolutionary lineage branched off from sharks nearly 400 million years ago, and they have remained an isolated group ever since. Like sharks, chimaera’s are cartilaginous and have no real bones.
The lateral lines running across this chimaera are mechano-receptors that detect pressure waves (just like ears). The dotted-looking lines on the frontal portion of the face (near the mouth) are ampullae de lorenzini and they detect perturbations in electrical fields generated by living organisms.
Images used courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, INDEX-SATAL 2010.
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/10index/logs/hires/chimaera_hires.jpg
Watch video:
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1605/dailyupdates/media/video/0504-chimaera/0504-chimaera.html
Reference:
https://owlcation.com/stem/The-Chimaera-Ratfish-or-Ghost-Shark-Strange-and-Cartilaginous
#chimaera #shark #coolcritters #biodiversity #marinelife
There is a god-creator and his name is Tim Burton. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool. I love the variety of fascinating science you share. Thank you, may you never quit!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! ...Corina, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine you sewing something up a bit like that with fish parts, maybe add a bit of squid to the mix, or even a finger (boneless?) or two...
ReplyDeleteThat's a really bizarre looking creature. But then again, pretty much any deep sea creature looks bizarre
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, looks like Victor Frankenstein is still among us ;)
ReplyDelete