Roman art proves fish have gotten smaller

Icythologists (is that the right word?) are trying to prevent the extinction of the dusky grouper. They have turned to Roman mosaics to study the fish's original size and habitat. The 3.5-5 foot fish were big enough in Roman times to be portrayed as sea monsters (see the mosaic at the link with a man's legs disappearing into the grouper's mouth). Other figures from the mosaics, who are fishing for the grouper with poles and nets, indicate that shallow water is the creature's ideal habitat.

Under the influence of these mosaics experts have raised grouper in shallow pools and seen them grow much larger than the wild fish. Roman art being used by scientists totally delights me. I guess it is further proof of how much grad school narrows your focus, that such a thing had never occurred to me before. Thanks blogging! Pin It