Cambridge Researchers Crack the Code of How Fish Learned to Walk on Land

Study from the University of Cambridge

According to НВ — Техно: A research paper published on June 3, 2025, at 8:30 PM reveals how scientists at the University of Cambridge have uncovered the evolutionary mechanics behind fish walking on land. Engineers from Cambridge's Department of Engineering combined computer simulations with robotics to develop a universal formula describing this ancient mode of locomotion. The study found that many unrelated fish species independently evolved the same walking pattern-a striking example of convergent evolution.

How Fish Move on Land

The walking method examined by the researchers involves the fish pushing off the ground with its tail while using its head and front fins as anchor points. Today, this movement can be observed in species like the African lungfish and the armored catfish.

If you can manage even a clumsy crawl on land and your predator cannot, you survive. Plus, you gain access to shallow puddles and tidal pools full of food. - Dr. Michael Ishida

As part of the study, the team fed movement data from the Senegal bichir and other walking fish into a computer model. The simulation revealed identical locomotion algorithms across different families of fish. To validate their calculations, the researchers also built a physical robotic fish. The most efficient movement pattern of this robot matched the actual gait of a living bichir.

This Cambridge research offers fresh insights into how fish evolved and adapted to life on land. The university's robotic fish in motion showcases a significant breakthrough in the field.

The findings carry implications not only for biology and evolutionary science but also for advances in robotics and biomechanics. Understanding the mechanisms that enabled fish to transition to land could open up new possibilities for designing robots capable of moving efficiently across both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Moreover, the study highlights the role of convergent evolution, where unrelated species independently develop similar adaptations in response to ecological pressures.

In addition to the groundbreaking findings about fish evolution, recent research from Kyoto has uncovered unexpected behaviors in sperm cells that challenge established physical laws. This intriguing study reveals how these microscopic entities move in ways that defy Newton's Third Law of Motion, shedding light on their unique mechanics. To explore this fascinating discovery further, you can read more about it here.