Why do viperfish lack a swim bladder?
Answer
To handle massive pressure changes during vertical migrations
Swim bladders, which are gas-filled organs used for buoyancy control in many fish species, would be detrimental to an animal that undergoes significant vertical migrations. As the viperfish moves through different depths, the massive changes in pressure would cause a swim bladder to expand or contract dangerously, potentially causing rupture or impairing movement. By lacking this organ, the viperfish can navigate through the water column without the risks associated with rapid shifts in hydrostatic pressure.
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