This denizen of tropical swamps may shed light on how ancient fish were able to survive out of water.
Abstract
An important step towards understanding the evolution of terrestriality in vertebrates is to identify how the aquatic ancestors of tetrapods were able to access ground-based prey. We have discovered that the ‘eel catfish’ Channallabes apus, an inhabitant of the muddy swamps of tropical Africa, has a remarkable ability to forage and capture prey on land. The animal's capacity to bend its head down towards the ground while feeding seems to be an essential feature that may have enabled fish to make the transition from an aquatic to a terrestrial mode.
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(PDF 71 kb)
Supplementary movie
The eel catfish, Channallabes apus, can propel itself from the water to capture prey. (MPG 1484 kb)
Supplementary movie
This high speed video shows an eel catfish eating a morsel of cod on land. (MPG 1544 kb)
Supplementary movie
The swallowing motion of the eel catfish. (MPG 728 kb)
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Van Wassenbergh, S., Herrel, A., Adriaens, D. et al. A catfish that can strike its prey on land. Nature 440, 881 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/440881a
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/440881a
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