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Scientists find faceless and brainless species of fish.

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MaxKatt

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Eventually they will splice the genes with a striper to make a fish so stupid and blind any plug can fool it... :-)

 

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By msnbc.com staff and news services

 

A rare species of fish described as “faceless and brainless” was among the unusual finds made by marine scientists off Britain’s coast, according to a Scottish government report published on Thursday.

 

The prehistoric amphioxus species, which grows to about two inches long and has no fins, was recorded off Orkney, part of the Northern Isles that lie off the far northern coast of mainland Scotland.

 

The elusive fish is regarded as a modern representative of the first animals that evolved a backbone, the Scottish government said.

 

 

With a nerve cord down its back, it has no specific brain or face. According to The Scotsman newspaper, it has a translucent, fish-like body but has no true skeleton.

 

 

It is usually found buried in sand in shallow parts of temperate or tropical seas, the newspaper said. In Asia, the species is harvested commercially to use as food for pets.

 

Other rare finds from the marine surveys, which covered over 2,000 square miles, included giant mussels with shells measuring up to 18 inches and new communities of Northern Feather Star, a brightly colored species with 10 feather-like arms fanning out from a central disc, which were revealed off the Sound of Canna, near Skye.

 

The Scottish Government said the findings will further the country's knowledge of the biodiversity of its seas.

 

Scottish Natural Heritage and Edinburgh's Heriot-Watt University were among organizations that carried out the work.

 

Underwater video was shot and acoustic and 3D images were used in the surveys.

 

Dr Dan Barlow, head of policy with environmental campaign group WWF Scotland, added: “These surveys highlight that Scotland’s seas and coasts are home to a truly amazing range of weird and wonderful wildlife.

 

“By providing vital information on what lies beneath the waves, these surveys will help inform decisions on better ways to protect this important resource.”

 

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The article starts out

 

"A rare species of fish described as “faceless and brainless” was among the unusual finds made by marine scientists off Britain’s coast, according to a Scottish government report published on Thursday."

 

then it goes on to say

 

" the species is harvested commercially to use as food for pets."

 

So which is it, a rare find or commercially harvested food? :D

 

 

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The article starts out

 

"A rare species of fish described as “faceless and brainless” was among the unusual finds made by marine scientists off Britain’s coast, according to a Scottish government report published on Thursday."

 

then it goes on to say

 

" the species is harvested commercially to use as food for pets."

 

So which is it, a rare find or commercially harvested food? :D

 

 

Good eye. I had to re-read myself. It seems to be saying (quite poorly) is that while it's harvested and known in Asia, it's the first time scientists are finding it in UK. Story is really more about strange species most likely transported to new region and taking root. Most likely came in ship ballast.

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It seems to be saying (quite poorly) is that while it's harvested and known in Asia, it's the first time scientists are finding it in UK. Story is really more about strange species most likely transported to new region and taking root. Most likely came in ship ballast.

 

yeah, i caught on to that, i was just busting on the writer a little ;)

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