Reflections On The (Evolved) Eye

Scientists discovered that the brownsnout spookfish, a deep-ocean denizen, uses mirrors to focus its eyes.

"In nearly 500 million years of vertebrate evolution, and many thousands of vertebrate species living and dead, this is the only one known to have solved the fundamental optical problem faced by all eyes - how to make an image - using a mirror," said Professor Julian Partridge, of Bristol University, who conducted the tests.

This unique system was adapted to enhance the fish's ability to detect bioluminescence in the abyss. Remarkable...