The discovery of this kind of advanced reproductive technique among prehistoric fish fossils has important implications for our understanding of animal evolution.

Though the technique has been used to control and explore neural circuits in fish, flies and rodents, this is the first time the much-hyped technology has ever been used in primates.

The new model additionally helps to explain the gliding technique of many other species, including certain mammals, frogs, lizards, snakes, ants, fish and squid.