Sea robins are strange fish that have leg-like parts on their bodies. These parts help them move on the sea floor.
Scientists have found that these legs are more than just for walking. They are special organs that help sea robins find food hidden in the sand.
Some sea robins use their legs to dig for food. Their legs can feel touch and taste chemicals.
This helps them find small sea animals buried in the sand. They don’t need to see their prey to catch it.
Two types of sea robins were studied. One type digs for food and has very sensitive legs.
The other type doesn’t dig and uses its legs mostly for moving around.
The digging sea robin has legs shaped like shovels. These legs have bumps on them that work like taste buds.
The non-digging sea robin has straight legs without bumps.
Scientists looked at the genes that make sea robin legs. They found an old gene called tbx3a that is very important.
This gene helps the legs grow and form the bumpy parts that sense things. It also affects how the fish digs for food.
Sea robins show how animals can change over time. They use old genes in new ways to make special body parts. This helps them live and find food in their ocean homes.
