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Which sensory system becomes especially developed in cave-dwelling ostariophysans?
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ostariophysan
Knifefish, or featherback (Xenomystus nigri)
In cave-dwelling ostariophysans, the sensory system that becomes especially developed is the lateral line system.
As these fishes adapt to life in environments characterized by total or near-total darkness, they experience evolutionary trends such as the loss of pigment and the reduction or loss of eyes. To compensate for the loss of sight, they rely on the enhanced development of the lateral line system, which allows them to detect movements and pressure changes in the surrounding water, effectively enabling them to sense their environment through touch at a distance.1