Which Fish Is Most Closely Related To Humans?

“Discovering Our Evolutionary Connection: The Fish Ancestor of Humans”

In the quest to trace our evolutionary history, a pivotal figure emerges: Tiktaalik, the ancient fish. This remarkable fish lived a staggering 375 million years ago, long before the first humans walked the Earth. What makes Tiktaalik a significant link in our evolutionary chain is its possession of an array of anatomical features that strikingly resemble those found in humans today. Among these features were shoulders, elbows, legs, wrists, and even a neck—basic elements that would eventually evolve into the essential components of our own bodies. This connection between Tiktaalik and humans sheds light on the fascinating journey of evolution that has shaped our species over countless millennia. [Source: NPR, “The Human Edge: Finding Our Inner Fish,” July 5, 2010]

How do humans compare to fish in terms of physical similarities? Examining the development of facial features reveals some astonishing parallels between the two. When you consider how your face evolved, it’s intriguingly reminiscent of fish. Initially, your eyes were positioned on the sides of your head, and your upper lip, jaw, and palate initially took shape as structures resembling gills on your neck during early embryonic development. This similarity sheds light on the common ancestry and evolutionary connections between humans and fish.

Which sea creature shares the closest biological relationship with humans? Sea stars, also known as starfish, belong to the phylum Echinoderm, a group that encompasses not only sea stars but also sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Interestingly, sea stars are considered among the creatures most closely related to humans within the animal kingdom. This connection arises because Echinoderms belong to the phylum Chordata, which includes humans, indicating a shared ancestry between these seemingly dissimilar creatures. This unexpected kinship underscores the complexity of evolutionary relationships in the natural world.