[Spacetectonics (OP)]

Exocoetidae is a family of marine fish in the order Beloniformes of class Actinopterygii. Fish of this family are known as flying fish. There are about sixty-four species grouped in seven to nine genera. Flying fish can make powerful, self-propelled leaps out of water into air, where their long, wing-like fins enable gliding flight for considerable distances above the water's surface. This uncommon ability is a natural defense mechanism to evade predators.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_fish

Now my question is "Is Flying fish a result of random mutations ?" what could be different about them?is this the way that birds evolved ?or there is another question at the horizon?! 

Enjoy exploration!!

[RD]

Now my question is "Is Flying fish a result of random mutations ?"

The form of every living thing is a consequence of random mutations ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_selection

For the flying-fish the pressure of predation must be sufficiently high that it is a net benefit to have oversize fins, (which must be a "bit of a drag" underwater ), which better enable them to escape from predators than their predecessors who had more modest appendages.


[ flying calamari are even freakier ... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1338220/Graham-Ekins-Japanese-squid-photos-leap-air-dodge-predators.html ]

[CliffordK]

Fish routinely jump out of the water.  However, it would seem a rather pointless method to avoid a shark or other predator if one lands within a foot or so of where one took off.

Thus, there could be strong evolutionary pressure to be able to jump further and further.

The wings just appear to be a normal pectoral fin that has become oversized (nothing grown de novo).

There are many examples in nature of convergent evolution, where different species evolve similar adaptations for survival. 

It seems just as likely that a fish might glide or fly for short distances as a squirrel, or even a number of insects.

[Spacetectonics (OP)]

Thanks ,

"Parallel evolution occurs when two independent but similar species evolve in the same direction and thus independently acquire similar characteristics"

I think understanding this need a full course in "evolutionary trends"(for me !!)

   Please don't go n**s but, there are 5 trillion, 78 billion, 422 million, 335 thousand, and 48 ish fishes are in the water right now!

If this characteristic could act as natural selection key " then why the number of them are so limited?"dose that mean it didn't work out for them? !or the succeed ones are walking on the sand right now?!

Cheers

[RD]

... If this characteristic could act as natural selection key " then why the number of them are so limited?"

Each creature is adapted to its own niche ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/adaptations
Wing-size-fins would not be any use to a deep-sea fish it : wouldn't get to the surface in time to use them.