Text: Yuan Yi said
Edit|Yuan Yi said
You don't have to live in water, give it a little soil, and it can live to be 90 years old?
Such an outrageous species turned out to be a kind of fish, even like potatoes buried in the ground can live, in Africa where water resources are seriously scarce, this fish has become a local star fish, for many African fishermen to solve a lot of difficulties, because there is no need to go to the water to fish, just survive in the soil, and even do not need to feed, this "eternal sleep" fish is called lungfish.
A lungfish that "falls asleep".
The African lungfish have a unique survival adaptation strategy, which involves dormant during the dry season and entering into special sleep patterns to survive in water-scarce environments.
During the amazing dormant process, the barramundi will seek out dry riverbeds or lakes and dig a burrow that is spacious enough and safe with its muscular body, filling the entrance with mud to ensure safety. As the body folds to minimize surface area, the barramundi releases a viscous mucus that creates a cocoon-like protective layer that both blocks outside interference and hinders water loss.
Stop eating and moving, rely on the fat and nutrients stored in the body to maintain life function, and use the lungs to participate in breathing and maintain the oxygen supply in the body. This dormant state can persist for many years until a source of water is restored or the seasonal rainy season occurs.
During the dormant process, the body of the African barramundi gradually becomes more adapted to the arid environment. Changes in external temperature, humidity, and gas concentrations are constantly adjusted to the stored tissues, and in this state, the barramundi will not decay during the encirclement process.
After the end of dormancy, with the arrival of spring rains, the barramundi resumes its activities, leaving the burrow and returning to the water in search of new habitat. Along with hydration, their respiratory system also shifts to breathing with their gills.
Despite their amazing dormant abilities, they face threats from human overexploitation of land, including urban expansion, agricultural activities and overuse of water resources, which has led to the destruction of African barramundi habitats and increased drought. In addition, barramundi are widely fished for food, and declining numbers threaten their survival.
Survival of barramundi in adversity
During the great drought of the century, the rivers and lakes in Africa dried up and the situation became very difficult for the fishing population. However, this milestone is significant for another creature that uses a unique adversity survival strategy: the legendary "underground fish" – the lungfish.
Barramundi, an ancient and mysterious group of fish, bet on their own survival to achieve an unprecedented survival victory.
They date back 400 million years and are one of the bony fishes. Not only can barramundi swim in the water, but they can also find refuge in dry environments where water is scarce. When the dry season arrives, barramundi burrows into the soil beneath the riverbed and undergoes a period of hibernation-like hibernation in response to the environmental challenges of drought.
Thanks to the respiration mechanism of the lungs and special physiological regulation, lungfish are able to survive for months without water. This exceptional ability to adapt has made barramundi a go-to dish during the dry season.
When the inhabitants of Africa find small holes in the riverbed, they excitedly start the excavation work. Soon after, the sleeping lungfish excavated from the dirt came into view. Although barramundi is not as delicate as freshwater fish, they are undoubtedly a valuable source of protein during the dry season when food is scarce.
Due to human overfishing and environmental change, the barramundi population is decreasing year by year. This long-established fish now faces a serious threat to its survival. The story of the barramundi is a reminder that we should be more appreciative and protect these precious natural resources.
The longest-lived fish known in the world is the barramundi
At the Sheder Aquarium in Chicago, USA, there is a lungfish with a body length of 1.22 meters and a weight of 11.34 kilograms that is over 90 years old. This fish has won people's admiration and amazement with its strong vitality and unique way of survival.
As an ancient and miraculous species, the barramundi has demonstrated the miracle and wisdom of nature, and their presence on the earth provides important enlightenment for us to understand the adaptation and evolution of life, and we should respect and protect this unique creature so that they can continue to thrive on the earth.
African lungfish – can breathe painfully
The respiratory system of the African lungfish, their swim bladder has many small air chambers inside, which allows them to breathe underwater. But when the waters dry up, they need to surface and use their lungs to inhale air. Of course, barramundi don't just breathe on the surface, they go one step further. They choose to burrow into the soil, build small mud holes, and wrap themselves in the dirt, which is a genius way of survival.
Dormancy is very important for barramundi. When water is extremely scarce, they go into dormancy to reduce energy expenditure and dependence, during which their metabolic rate decreases to one-sixtieth of their usual level, and they stop eating altogether. Barramundi relies on fat and nutrients stored in their bodies to sustain their lives. They have been reported to be able to go dormant for several years, only to wake up when the rainy season arrives.
Looking back at the internal structure of the lungfish, we can also see the remarkable adaptability of this creature. Barramundi has a comparatively long intestine and is able to absorb nutrients from its food efficiently. At the same time, their livers are also relatively large and can store large amounts of fat in case they need them, which allows the African barramundi to survive in the face of scarce food resources.
Due to the practical activities of humans, this wetland is facing a huge threat. Heavy fishing activity has led to a significant reduction in the number of barramundi. The existence of this magnificent river of life is facing a huge crisis and urgently needs people's protection and attention.
The way the African barramundi survives is a testimony to the miracle of life on Earth. Their extreme adaptability and unique respiratory system make them an important object of study in the science of biological evolution. The protection of this rare creature is not only for their own destiny, but also for the sake of maintaining the ecological balance and biodiversity of the planet.
Research value of the African lungfish
The dormant ability of the African lungfish fascinated scientists, who became intrigued by its nerves and muscles. Studies have shown that the nervous system of lungfish can maintain stable electrical activity during dormancy, which has led scientists to study the therapeutic mechanisms of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Associated with nerves is the muscular system of the lungfish
The ability of lungfish to maintain muscle elasticity and strength during dormant period has important implications for the study of the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases such as amyotrophy and osteoporosis, and to understand the expression and regulation mechanism of lungfish muscles in the dormant state, which is helpful to find treatments for muscle diseases and improve the resistance of the biological muscular system.
In addition to the exploration of respiration, metabolism, nerves, and muscles, scientists are also very interested in the evolutionary history of the African barramundi. The lungs and fins of the lungfish are key features in its evolution as a terrestrial animal. Their lungs are adapted to the demands of the land environment, and barramundi can breathe in the water and in the air.
Despite their extensive research value, the barramundi are suffering from an existential crisis. Increasing environmental damage, water pollution and overfishing caused by human activities have threatened the habitat of barramundi and reduced their populations.
As an ancient and amazing creature, the African barramundi has brought many important revelations and hopes to human medicine. Its special functions such as lungs, liver, nerves, and muscles provide scientists with research opportunities that allow humans to explore new ways to treat diseases and improve health.
But we also have a responsibility to protect the African barramundi and its habitat, and it is only by protecting and restoring the health of aquatic ecosystems that this precious species can continue to survive and contribute wisdom and contributions to human health.
epilogue
In order to protect this unique and ancient creature, humans need to take proactive measures. Strengthening conservation measures, establishing nature reserves and protected areas, limiting illegal fishing, and raising public awareness of the environment are all important steps to ensure that they can continue to survive on the planet. Only by taking into account nature and development, and focusing on sustainability, can we jointly create a more harmonious ecological environment and let more beautiful life forms exist in our world.