'Living fossil' eel found in Pacific Ocean

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say a remarkably primitive eel has been discovered living in a reef off the coast of the Republic of Palau in the Pacific Ocean.

Researchers at the Smithsonian and partnering organizations say the fish they've dubbed a "living fossil" exhibits many primitive anatomical features unknown in the other 19 families and more than 800 species of living eels, and have classified it a new species belonging to a new genus and family.

Some primitive physical traits, such as a second upper jaw bone and fewer than 90 vertebrae have only been found in fossil forms from the Cretaceous period 140 million to 65 million years ago, a Smithsonian release reported Wednesday.

"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.

"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.

"The discovery of this extraordinary and beautiful new species of eel 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."