Pictures: Brainless, Faceless "Fish" Among Scottish Sea Finds

"Fish" Without a Face

Photograph by Andrew Want, Heriot-Watt University

A brainless "fish" without a face, the elusive Amphioxus was seen in the waters off Tankerness (map).

The rarely seen species is not a true fish—it's "an evolutionary step" between invertebrates and vertebrates, said Mike Robertson, senior marine ecologist for the Scottish government.

For instance, Amphioxus has a nerve cord—a precursor to a proper backbone—Robertson said.

The white structure that resembles a spine is actually the species' gonads, which are located in its belly.

(See "First Photos: Weird Fish With Transparent Head.")

Published January 12, 2012

"Glowing" Sea Pen

Photograph courtesy Sue Scott, Scottish Natural Heritage

Feathery, glowing polyps line the arms of a sea pen, while tiny white eggs dot its stalk.

Each sea pen—named for its quill pen-like appearance—is made up of a colony of polyps, or small, anemone-like individuals, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

In Scotland, sea pens are common in muddy areas along the coast, Robertson said.

(See "Photos: 'Spectacular' Deep-Sea Species Found off Canada.")

Published January 12, 2012

"Graceful" Feather Star

Photograph courtesy Christine Howson, Scottish Natural Heritage

Though most northern feather stars live in deep waters, in Scotland they live in depths of only about 165 feet (50 meters).

A "graceful and curious" animal, northern feather stars have ten long, slender arms that can be a variety of "beautiful" colors, including yellow, white, pinkish red, or red-and-white (such as the individual above near the Isle of Canna), according to the Scottish Natural Heritage website.

However, the filter feeders, which grow in dense beds on the seafloor, are "very vulnerable" to trawling, Robertson noted.

(Watch a video of a northern feather star "dancing.")

Published January 12, 2012

Royal Mussel

Photograph courtesy Sue Scott, Scottish Natural Heritage

At up to 20 inches (48 centimeters) long, the fan mussel (pictured) is Scotland's largest seashell species.

Scientists discovered more than a hundred of the rare animals around the Small Isles (map)—the largest aggregation yet found in U.K. waters. Fan mussels anchor their shell to the seabed using fine, golden threads, which kings have used to decorate their clothing.

The mussels have thin, fragile shells that stick out of the seafloor, so they're easily harmed by fishing operations—especially trawling nets that scrape the bottom, Robertson noted.

(See overfishing pictures.)

Published January 12, 2012

Sea Fans Unite

Photograph courtesy Paul Kay, Scottish Natural Heritage

A community of northern sea fans branch out along the seafloor off the Isle of Skye.

The coldwater corals, which are found throughout western Scotland, provide habitat for juvenile marine creatures, such as fish and crustaceans, Robertson said.

If the communities are damaged or removed, their absence could make the young animals more obvious to predators.

(See coral reef pictures.)

Published January 12, 2012

Flame Shell

Photograph courtesy Scottish Natural Heritage

A flame shell uses its bright orange feeding tentacles to find a meal amid brittle stars in Loch Linnhe (map).

The 1.6-inch-long (4-centimeter-long) mollusks hide inside nests, which they build from shells, stones, and other available materials, according to the Scottish Natural Heritage website.

(See more pictures of colorful sea creatures.)

Published January 12, 2012