Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.The structures that arise from convergent evolution are called analogous structures. They are similar in function even if they are dissimilar in structure. Further, structures can be analogous while also...
What is Evolutionary History?02:35

What is Evolutionary History?

Scientists record evolutionary history by analyzing fossil, morphological, and genetic data. The fossil record documents the history of life on Earth and provides evidence for evolution. However, both fossil and living organisms offer evidence that outlines Earth’s evolutionary history.Phylogenetic trees illustrate the evolutionary relationships among these organisms. Scientists infer organisms’ common ancestry by evaluating shared morphological and genetic characteristics. Together, the fossil...
The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.The collection of fossils within sedimentary rocks give a record of common ancestry and often depicts the history of evolution.
Osmoregulation in Fishes02:32

Osmoregulation in Fishes

When cells are placed in a hypotonic (low-salt) fluid, they can swell and burst. Meanwhile, cells in a hypertonic solution—with a higher salt concentration—can shrivel and die. How do fish cells avoid these gruesome fates in hypotonic freshwater or hypertonic seawater environments?
The Colonization of Land02:22

The Colonization of Land

Changes in the environment of the early Earth drove the evolution of organisms. As prokaryotic organisms in the oceans began to photosynthesize, they produced oxygen. Eventually, oxygen saturated the oceans and entered the air, resulting in an increase in atmospheric oxygen concentration, known as the oxygen revolution approximately 2.3 billion years ago. Therefore, organisms that could use oxygen for cellular respiration had an advantage. More than 1.5 years ago, eukaryotic cells and...
Introduction to Sensory Receptors01:31

Introduction to Sensory Receptors

Sensory receptors are vital in our ability to perceive and interpret the world. Sensory receptors are specialized cells in the peripheral nervous system that respond to various stimuli and enable one to experience different sensations. Based on specific criteria, sensory receptors are classified into distinct types.
The first classification criterion is based on cell type, position, and function. Some receptor cells are neurons with free nerve endings, where their dendrites are embedded in the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Towards a unified gating scheme for the CNBD ion channel family.

The Journal of general physiology·2025
Same author

A host organelle integrates stolen chloroplasts for animal photosynthesis.

Cell·2025
Same author

Population genomics of the gametophyte-only fern Vittaria appalachiana provides insights into clonal plant evolution.

The New phytologist·2025
Same author

Evolution of novel sensory organs in fish with legs.

Current biology : CB·2024
Same author

Ancient developmental genes underlie evolutionary novelties in walking fish.

Current biology : CB·2024
Same author

Mapping the contribution of the C-linker domain to gating polarity in CNBD channels.

Biophysical journal·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Eye Removal in Living Zebrafish Larvae to Examine Innervation-dependent Growth and Development of the Visual System
09:00

Eye Removal in Living Zebrafish Larvae to Examine Innervation-dependent Growth and Development of the Visual System

Published on: February 11, 2022

Evolution of sensory organs: Lessons from walking fish.

Jenna L Lin1, Elissa S Sorojsrisom1, Corey A H Allard1

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, 250 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.

Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|June 15, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sea robins have unique leg-like fins that act as sensory organs for detecting prey on the seafloor. Modern research is exploring the neurobiology of these specialized appendages.

More Related Videos

Activity of Posterior Lateral Line Afferent Neurons during Swimming in Zebrafish
10:34

Activity of Posterior Lateral Line Afferent Neurons during Swimming in Zebrafish

Published on: February 10, 2021

Long-term Behavioral Tracking of Freely Swimming Weakly Electric Fish
10:56

Long-term Behavioral Tracking of Freely Swimming Weakly Electric Fish

Published on: March 6, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Eye Removal in Living Zebrafish Larvae to Examine Innervation-dependent Growth and Development of the Visual System
09:00

Eye Removal in Living Zebrafish Larvae to Examine Innervation-dependent Growth and Development of the Visual System

Published on: February 11, 2022

Activity of Posterior Lateral Line Afferent Neurons during Swimming in Zebrafish
10:34

Activity of Posterior Lateral Line Afferent Neurons during Swimming in Zebrafish

Published on: February 10, 2021

Long-term Behavioral Tracking of Freely Swimming Weakly Electric Fish
10:56

Long-term Behavioral Tracking of Freely Swimming Weakly Electric Fish

Published on: March 6, 2014

Area of Science:

  • * Comparative neurobiology and sensory system evolution.
  • * Marine biology and vertebrate morphology.
  • * Sensory ecology and behavioral adaptations.

Background:

  • * Organisms interact with their environment via sensory systems that guide behavior.
  • * Sensory systems exhibit significant diversification across animal taxa, adapting to specific ecological niches.
  • * Sea robins (family Triglidae) exemplify this, featuring modified pectoral fins resembling legs for benthic locomotion and foraging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To investigate the sensory capabilities and neural basis of the specialized pectoral appendages in sea robins.
  • * To understand the evolutionary diversification of sensory systems in benthic fishes.
  • * To bridge a gap in modern research on sea robin anatomy and neurobiology.

Main Methods:

  • * Review of historical anatomical literature.
  • * Integration of recent molecular, cellular, and neurobiological findings.
  • * Comparative analysis of sensory appendage morphology and function.

Main Results:

  • * Sea robin pectoral appendages are multimodal sensory organs, integrating chemosensory, mechanosensory, and proprioceptive information.
  • * These appendages are crucial for detecting and excavating buried prey on the seafloor.
  • * Associated neural circuits are significantly expanded, reflecting the appendages' complex sensory role.

Conclusions:

  • * The specialized sensory appendages of sea robins represent a remarkable adaptation for benthic foraging.
  • * Further research integrating molecular, cellular, and neurobiological approaches is essential to fully understand these unique structures.
  • * Sea robins offer a valuable model system for studying sensory system evolution and adaptation.