This is a picture of recently discovered Protoanguilla palau, an eel that evolved into its current form around 200 million years ago, at the beginning of the Jurassic period. No word if they remember seeing the elusive Ceratosaurus' mating ritual, but I'd pay good money if one could describe to me in detail. "You're sick, GW." Ha, I know -- and I haven't been taking my medicine.
They found that the new species, Protoanguilla palau, had traits that matched those of the earliest eels. Things such as a large head, fused skull bones, and a small number of vertebrae made it a closer match to eels from 100 million years ago than modern eels.
The researchers then analyzed the eels' DNA and found that it dated back to 200 million years ago, near the beginning of the Jurassic period. This was around the time when the supercontinent Pangaea broke into two, and the sea teemed with a variety of life.
Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Spicy eel rolls. Put a little dollop of wasabi on those things and mmmm mmmm mmmm! "Hey GW -- you should really try the blowfish liver." Haha, nice try buddy -- don't those give you the runs? "Something like that." Good thing I already have them -- bring on the blowfish liver!
Living Fossil Eel Found in Palau [thirdage]
Thanks to wok, who would not hesitate to stir-fry that mamma-jamma with some water chestnuts and bamboo shoots.