Ancient fish reveals one step in how ears evolved

2006

The skull bones of an ancient fish have revealed the early stages of how our ears evolved.

The skull bones of an ancient fish have revealed the early stages of how our ears evolved.

  
Primitive middle ear on left and more advanced with larger spiracle on right
Primitive middle ear on left and more advanced with larger spiracle on right


Structures corresponding to those most likely used for breathing in the fish show the early stages of evolving into the structures in our ears.