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Hagfish Genes Reveal Ancient Origins of Vertebrate Sense of Smell Study Uncovers Unexpected Complexity in One of Earth's Oldest Vertebrates Scientists at the University of Tsukuba, working with international collaborators, have carried out an in-depth study of the olfactory receptor genes of the hagfish ( Eptatretus burgeri ), a jawless vertebrate that retains many ancient traits while boasting an unexpectedly sophisticated sense of smell . Published in iScience , the research shows that several olfactory receptor gene families have diversified in a lineage-specific way, indicating that the earliest vertebrates may have had a far richer and more complex sense of smell than previously believed. Breaking scientific discoveries across genetics, evolution and life sciences are regularly reported on FSNews365 , which tracks emerging research shaping our understanding of the natural world. Why Smell Is Central to Survival Smell plays a vital role in the survival of animals, including ...