Weird immunity allows anglerfish to mate
Genetic analysis has shed light on the notoriously bizarre mating ritual of the anglerfish. When these deep-sea fish mate, the male fuses its tissues with those of the much-larger female. For decades, scientists have been puzzled about how individuals are able to merge without triggering an immune response. Now, genetic tests on museum specimens and preserved anglerfish have shown that species that fuse to their mates lack genes that are important for the formation of key parts of the immune system. “It’s been an enigma, and it’s wonderful to think that we’ve finally got an answer,” says evolutionary biologist Ted Pietsch.
Wired | 6 min readReference: Science paper
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