A recent study was done on 400 Atlantic Killifish from a polluted/nonpolluted area. The study showed that they are "8,000 times more resistant" to pollution than any other fish studied (ScienceDaily). Scientist thought it could be genetic diversity but then discovered that the Atlantic Killifish already had a genetic variation for pollution, that allows them to adapt to such high polluted areas so quickly. While the other species are dying from the pollution or undergoing mutations (extra fin, 2 heads), the Atlantic Killifish comes out unharmed from all the pollution. There are not that many solutions to withstand pollution and this may be one of the limited adaptation to it.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161208143334.htm
I think this is very interesting. This could also helps in studying how some organisms adapt faster to their environment than others.
ReplyDeleteKillifish are going to one of those animals, like pigeons and rats, who will surpass many other species due to this extreme ability to adapt. In the future i feel they will be the dominant fish in lakes, free to evolve into different niches left open by other species who simply couldn't adapt.
ReplyDeleteThe mutations that the fish have are things like extra fins and that makes me wonder how they are able to be "resistant" to the pollution. I think its interesting that they are able to adapt and surpass pollution considering the growing rate of pollution in our world.
ReplyDeleteThis quality obtained by killfish is truly remarkable! This is really a prime example of survival of the fittest, where these fish will take over any ecosystem they have access to, becoming the most common type of fish.
ReplyDelete