A recent study has revealed that deep-sea brittle stars, ancient marine invertebrates, have established extensive global connections across oceanic distances. By analyzing DNA from thousands of specimens collected worldwide, researchers uncovered how these creatures have migrated across oceans over millions of years, linking ecosystems from the North Atlantic to the Southern Ocean.
Unlike shallow-water species, deep-sea environments are more stable, allowing species like brittle stars to disperse over vast distances. Many brittle stars produce yolk-rich larvae that can drift on deep ocean currents for extended periods, facilitating colonization of distant regions.
This research transforms our understanding of deep-sea evolution and highlights the enduring scientific value of museum collections. The DNA analyzed in this study came from specimens collected during numerous research voyages, many undertaken decades ago, and preserved in institutions worldwide.
The study underscores the fragility of deep-sea life, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to protect these interconnected ecosystems. Understanding how life is distributed and moves through this vast environment is essential, especially as threats from deep-sea mining and climate change increase.