Still Waters Posted April 2, 2018 #1 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Researchers reporting in Current Biology on April 2 have evidence that an extinct species of monitor lizard had four eyes, a first among known jawed vertebrates. Today, only the jawless lampreys have four eyes. The third and fourth eyes refer to pineal and parapineal organs, eye-like photosensory structures on the top of the head that play key roles in orientation and in circadian and annual cycles. The new findings help to elucidate the evolutionary history of these structures among vertebrates. https://phys.org/news/2018-04-extinct-lizard-eyes-fossil-evidence.html 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHaYap Posted April 2, 2018 #2 Share Posted April 2, 2018 BAck in those days it pays to have eyes in the back of the head ... ~ 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MysteryMike Posted April 3, 2018 #3 Share Posted April 3, 2018 We sure this ain't some alien? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shiloh Posted April 3, 2018 #4 Share Posted April 3, 2018 I suppose they could monitor in all directions. Being a monitor lizard that is, no pun intended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unusual Tournament Posted April 3, 2018 #5 Share Posted April 3, 2018 what no four eyes jokes ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galactic Goatman Posted April 3, 2018 #6 Share Posted April 3, 2018 Wish they had shown the actual skull or something, as it would be interesting to see exactly where these additional eyes were in relation to the existing holes found in all lizard skulls (which let the jaw muscles expand). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldrover Posted April 3, 2018 #7 Share Posted April 3, 2018 7 hours ago, AustinHinton said: Wish they had shown the actual skull or something, as it would be interesting to see exactly where these additional eyes were in relation to the existing holes found in all lizard skulls (which let the jaw muscles expand). https://news.yale.edu/2018/04/02/four-eyed-lizard-offers-new-view-eyesights-evolution-vertebrates Reconsruction at the link. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galactic Goatman Posted April 3, 2018 #8 Share Posted April 3, 2018 1 hour ago, oldrover said: https://news.yale.edu/2018/04/02/four-eyed-lizard-offers-new-view-eyesights-evolution-vertebrates Reconsruction at the link. Thanks! So the eyes sat in tandem at the back of the skull, interesting. Do we know if they were functional beyond basic sensory functions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hankenhunter Posted April 3, 2018 #9 Share Posted April 3, 2018 19 hours ago, Captain Risky said: what no four eyes jokes ? The ayes have it? Sorry, got nothing. Hank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldrover Posted April 4, 2018 #10 Share Posted April 4, 2018 (edited) 14 hours ago, AustinHinton said: Thanks! So the eyes sat in tandem at the back of the skull, interesting. Do we know if they were functional beyond basic sensory functions? No idea. I do know that third eyes/pineal glands with some photo receptive function can be seen in several living reptiles. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parietal_eye#/media/File%3AMadagascar_spiny_tailed_iguana_cropped.jpg Edited April 4, 2018 by oldrover 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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