Primitive eel branded 'living fossil' found in Pacific Ocean

London, Aug 18 (ANI): Scientists at the Smithsonian and partnering organizations have discovered a remarkably primitive eel in a cave beneath the Pacific Ocean in the Republic of Palau.

The fish, named 'Protoanguilla palau', exhibits many primitive anatomical features unknown in the other 19 families and more than 800 species of living eels, resulting in its classification as a new species belonging to a new genus and family.

DNA analysis of the species shows it has an ancient, independent lineage with an evolutionary history dating back 200 million years, prompting scientists to describe it as a "living fossil".

"The equivalent of this primitive eel, in fishes, has perhaps not been seen since the discovery of the coelacanth in the late 1930s," said Dave Johnson, ichthyologist at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and lead author of the team's research.

"We believe that such a long, independent evolutionary history, dating back to the early Mesozoic (about 200 million years ago), retention of several primitive anatomical features and apparently restricted distribution, warrant its recognition as a living fossil," he added.

According to Johnson, the discovery underscores how much more there is to learn about our planet.

"Furthermore, it brings home the critical importance of future conservation efforts-currently this species is known from only 10 specimens collected from a single cave in Palau," he added.

The discovery is published online in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. (ANI)