New research led by ichthyologist Elizabeth Miller explores the evolutionary journey of bathypelagic anglerfish. The study, which involved analyzing genetic data from numerous fish samples, reveals that these unique fish evolved from deep sea benthic ancestors. Rose Faucher, a recent graduate from Rice University, had the rare opportunity to study museum-preserved anglerfish specimens. The findings suggest that a shift from the sea floor was pivotal in the diversification of anglerfish morphology, with over 200 species identified in the deep-sea environment.
"The fish world is actually pretty small, and it feels kind of like everybody knows everybody," says Faucher, reflecting on her unique opportunity to work with specimens.
"The most surprising [part of this study] was the overall story that the bathypelagic anglerfish seem to have arisen from a deep sea benthic ancestor," says Miller.
"I was so excited, I picked [the footballfish] up and ran down the halls of this building to go and show all of my friends..." Faucher recalls.
Miller's project, which utilized genetic information from hundreds of samples across the globe, revealed a significant transition in the evolution of anglerfish.
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