The Eyeless Cavefish <i>Astyanas mexicanus</i> (IMAGE)

Marine Biological Laboratory

The Eyeless Cavefish <i>Astyanas mexicanus</i>

Caption

This is the eyeless cavefish Astyanas mexicanus. These fish begin to develop eyes but then lose them as the embryo matures. They are also depigmented, unlike their surface-dwelling ancestors. This is one of the few cave animals in which the surface-dwelling ancestor is not extinct, which allows scientists to compare them genetically.

Credit

William Jeffery/MBL Woods Hole

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