Human origins tied to ancient jawless blood-sucking fish

A sea lamprey in a tank. These jawless, primitive fish are known for invading ecosystems and sucking blood, but scientists are using their genes to learn about early vertebrate evolution.

Jawless, bloodsucking fish could help us understand how humans and all other vertebrates evolved, scientists say.

Turns out, lampreys — notable for their lack of jaw and generally terrifying appearance — have a cell population that was key to the origins of vertebrates, according to a new study, published July 26 in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.