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Len of the Chilterns

Len of the Chilterns Report 28 Nov 2009 22:28

It's one of evolution's most eccentric creations: a head shaped like a hammer. Now, a study suggests that the hammerhead shark may have evolved its oddly shaped snout to boost the animal's vision and hunting prowess.

For over a century, scientists have speculated why hammerheads evolved such an odd shape and whether having eyes so far apart would enhance their vision. In 1942 a leading authority on sharks, Gordon Walls, suggested the position of the shark's eyes prevented it from having binocular vision. But others have argued exactly the opposite, saying the animals must have enhanced eyesight.

Now, hammerhead sharks have had their first eye examination, and it has laid the debate to rest. Sharks with wider heads have better binocular vision – all the better to track fast-moving prey like squid with far more accuracy than sharks with close-set eyes.

The research also shows that hammerheads – among other sharks – have a 360-degree view of the world in the vertical plane, allowing them to simultaneously see prey above and below them
New Scientist,

Bobtanian

Bobtanian Report 29 Nov 2009 00:18

Nature moves in strange ways Len.
I recall a Christmas lecture where the theme was " Mount improbable",
it was a multi pinnacled mountain, up which evolution had run its course.
the " Moral" was that when evolution had gone up on a particular line, It could NOT return, thus leaving various variations on design, like a plaice which is flat but with eyes on its back, so to speak.....whereas the crocodile and alligator stayed with their unique killing machine design....other fish went their own particular ways....and..birds that cant fly....and so on

Bob