Brittle Stars: Unveiling Deep-Sea Connections
Brittle stars, ancient marine creatures, reveal how deep-sea animals migrate and connect globally. Unlike shallow-water species, they expand across oceans thanks to larvae drifting on currents. This connectivity creates a varied ecosystem that faces regional extinctions. Understanding this network is crucial for conservation efforts.
- Country:
- Australia
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have unveiled the intricate connectivity of deep-sea brittle stars. These creatures, despite their lack of eyes or a central brain, are capable of migrating across vast ocean distances.
The study, published in Nature, reveals how brittle stars manage such extensive travel. Unlike shallow-water species halted by temperature barriers, brittle stars' larvae drift on slow currents, surviving on minimal food reserves, allowing for continental scale dispersal.
This connectivity has built a patchwork ecosystem resilient yet vulnerable to regional extinctions. Understanding these patterns is essential for safeguarding these unique environments from future threats.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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