Species question

[gwl2oneida]

Can anyone tell me if burbot are related to snakehead? I'm under the impression they are not related, just similar in appearance.

[Chrisper4694]

i was under the same impression, but i'm not totally sure.

[Skunk City]

NJF Burbot Meet and Greet 2k16??

[gwl2oneida]

Hell yeah Rob. I'd love to have a camp weekend m&g upstate next year.

[JDTuna]

No, they are not related. Snakeheads are in the Channidae family and burbot are in the Gadidae family and are related to cod.

Snakeheads and bowfin look very similar because they occupy the same ecological niche through a process called convergent evolution. Convergent evolution is the process in which two unrelated species evolve similar appearences due to having the same habits (habitat, feeding strategy, etc.). Burbot tend to have different habits than snakeheads, but look very similar to hake (ling), which are relatives.

[Delawareriver]

Originally Posted by JDTuna

No, they are not related. Snakeheads are in the Channidae family and burbot are in the Gadidae family and are related to cod.

Snakeheads and bowfin look very similar because they occupy the same ecological niche through a process called convergent evolution. Convergent evolution is the process in which two unrelated species evolve similar appearences due to having the same habits (habitat, feeding strategy, etc.). Burbot tend to have different habits than snakeheads, but look very similar to hake (ling), which are relatives.

X2, well said jd