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icarus · 07-26-2007, 12:04 PM

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Muka Head marine research station head Prof Dr Zulfigar Yasin seems to be an idiot. It is pretty clear from the photograph that the shark has deformed claspers, not "legs". These are sex organs, used to transmit sperm to the female's cloaca. Usually they taper at the end, these ones seem to be flared. They may resemble legs but they are completely different. Consider that the ancestor to tetrapods was a bony fish, similar to a coelacanth; sharks are cartilaginous fishes, and much more primitive in fin structure (read: unlikely to sprout limbs).

PS I love the reader comments of this most august newspaper. Much more interesting than the story itself:

"My heavens! Do you all really believe this is a sign of end times? It really gives you something to think about, regardless of whether you are black or white. "
- Maureen · Pocatello, ID · Apr 24, 2007 @ 11:58am

"Fish are not animals, they are fish. Animals have fur and uses the mother milk to feed the young. Fish do not do this. Therefore not animals!"
- Uwe · Germany · Jun 24, 2007 @ 2:26pm

"Great! Now you're telling me that God is tinkering with the sea creatures too. I thought He only did that to the dinosaurs. My faith is strong, so I believe what I see in these pictures."
- Patricia · Omaha · Jul 24, 2007 @ 9:18pm

07-26-2007, 12:04 PM	#5
icarus Franchise Player Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Singapore Exp:	Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Muka Head marine research station head Prof Dr Zulfigar Yasin seems to be an idiot. It is pretty clear from the photograph that the shark has deformed claspers, not "legs". These are sex organs, used to transmit sperm to the female's cloaca. Usually they taper at the end, these ones seem to be flared. They may resemble legs but they are completely different. Consider that the ancestor to tetrapods was a bony fish, similar to a coelacanth; sharks are cartilaginous fishes, and much more primitive in fin structure (read: unlikely to sprout limbs). PS I love the reader comments of this most august newspaper. Much more interesting than the story itself: "My heavens! Do you all really believe this is a sign of end times? It really gives you something to think about, regardless of whether you are black or white. " - Maureen · Pocatello, ID · Apr 24, 2007 @ 11:58am "Fish are not animals, they are fish. Animals have fur and uses the mother milk to feed the young. Fish do not do this. Therefore not animals!" - Uwe · Germany · Jun 24, 2007 @ 2:26pm "Great! Now you're telling me that God is tinkering with the sea creatures too. I thought He only did that to the dinosaurs. My faith is strong, so I believe what I see in these pictures." - Patricia · Omaha · Jul 24, 2007 @ 9:18pm __________________ Shot down in Flames! Last edited by icarus; 07-26-2007 at 12:13 PM.