'Faceless and Brainless' Fish?

A new study has said that a 'faceless and brainless' fish has been recorded in Scotland for the first time. This species can be considered as a modern representative of the first animals that evolved a backbone.

The organisations that carried out the work , including Scottish Natural Heritage and Edinburgh's Heriot-Watt University, shot underwater video and used acoustic and 3D images for the surveys.    

Around the Small Isles over 100 specimens of marine life were noted. Additionally, the government recorded "faceless and brainless' amphioxus fish Off Tankerness on Orkney.With a nerve chord down its back, the fish does not have a distinctive face or brain. 

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead regarded the finds as 'weird and wonderful'. "The waters around Scotland are rich in such fascinating biodiversity and it's our responsibility to protect this fragile environment," he said. "That's why we have ramped up our marine survey work, with plans being prepared for new surveys in 2012 to further our knowledge of what lies beneath Scotland's seas," he added.  

WWF Scotland saidthe results highlighted the need to better protect the marine environment, the BBC reported.