Di sicuro non serve a stabilizzare il pesce in corrente, ce l'ha anche il pescegatto che non mi sembra gradisca le acque troppo mosse
Ragionare induttivamente in questa maniera, considerando un singolo caso, non ha alcun valore scientifico e sovente porta a conclusioni del tutto errate. E' come se io dicessi che tutti i cani sono bianchi dopo aver osservato un singolo esemplare bianco.
A proposito di pescegatto, riporto questo studio condotto sui Siluriformi:
Adipose fin condition and flow regime in catfish
N.F. Temple and T.E. Reimchen (2008)
Abstract: Based on recent evidence suggesting a hydrodynamic function of the small adipose fin in salmonids to turbulent
flow conditions, we test for associations between presence and absence of the adipose fin and flow regime in Siluriformes,
one of the largest freshwater groups of fish with variable expression of this fin. Among 1906 species from multiple fami-
lies, those living in habitats with flow (streams or rivers) exhibited an adipose fin significantly more frequently than ex-
pected relative to no-flow habitats (lakes, marine, parasitic). These trends were robust and occurred on different continents
and among multiple paired comparisons within sister groups. Exceptions to these trends generally had atypical body shape
or occupied divergent habitat types. These results are concordant with the hydrodynamic function of this small fin.
Questo invece è il lavoro a cui mi riferivo nel mio precedente intervento:
Neural network detected in a presumed vestigial trait: ultrastructure of the salmonid adipose fin
J. A. Buckland-Nicks, M. Gillis, T. E. Reimchen (2011)
Abstract: A wide variety of rudimentary and apparently non-functional traits have
persisted over extended evolutionary time. Recent evidence has shown
that some of these traits may be maintained as a result of developmental
constraints or neutral energetic cost, but for others their true
function was not recognized. The adipose fin is small, fleshy, non-rayed
and located between the dorsal and caudal fins on eight orders of basal
teleosts and has traditionally been regarded as vestigial without clear
function. We describe here the ultrastructure of the adipose fin and
for the first time, to our knowledge, present evidence of extensive
nervous tissue, as well as an unusual subdermal complex of
interconnected astrocyte-like cells equipped with primary cilia. The fin
contains neither adipose tissue nor fin rays. Many fusiform
actinotrichia, comprising dense striated macrofibrils, support the free
edge and connect with collagen cables that link the two sides. These
results are consistent with a recent hypothesis that the adipose fin may
act as a precaudal flow sensor, where its removal can be detrimental to
swimming efficiency in turbulent water. Our findings provide insight to
the broader themes of function versus constraints in evolutionary
biology and may have significance for fisheries science, as the adipose
fin is routinely removed from millions of salmonids each year.