Meeresbiologie

An international team of scientists has started the EuroWorm project to create an open-access genomic database of European marine annelids, aiming to discover species before they vanish. Led by the Leibniz Institute for Biodiversity Change Analysis, the initiative focuses on these vital segmented worms that support ocean ecosystems. The effort combines museum collections with modern genomics to accelerate global biodiversity research.

25. März 2026 Von KI berichtet

Researchers have discovered 24 previously unknown species of deep-sea amphipods in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the central Pacific Ocean, including an entirely new superfamily. The findings, detailed in a ZooKeys special issue published on March 24, highlight previously unknown branches of life in one of Earth's least explored ecosystems. The work advances efforts to catalog biodiversity amid growing interest in deep-sea mining.

Scientists and Indigenous Australians are collecting coral spawn at night to bolster the Great Barrier Reef amid rising threats from climate change. The Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program, funded with nearly $300 million, employs innovative techniques like coral IVF to help the ecosystem adapt to warming oceans. Despite these efforts, experts emphasize that reducing global emissions remains essential for long-term survival.

5. Februar 2026 Von KI berichtet

New research shows that endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles are particularly attuned to the low-frequency sounds produced by ships and industrial activity in their coastal habitats. Scientists from Duke University, NOAA, and North Carolina State University measured the turtles' hearing and found peak sensitivity around 300 hertz, overlapping with common underwater noise sources. This discovery underscores potential vulnerabilities for the species amid busy shipping routes.

Microscopic algae in the ocean, vital for producing much of Earth's oxygen, depend on iron to fuel photosynthesis, according to new research from Rutgers University. When iron is limited, these phytoplankton waste energy, potentially disrupting marine food chains amid climate change. Field studies in the Southern Ocean highlight how this micronutrient shortage could lead to declines in krill and larger marine animals like whales and penguins.

11. Januar 2026 Von KI berichtet

A new study shows that the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction around 445 million years ago not only wiped out 85% of marine species but also paved the way for jawed vertebrates to thrive. Researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology analyzed fossil data to demonstrate how isolated refuges allowed these early fishes to diversify after the catastrophe. This event fundamentally reshaped Earth's ecosystems, influencing modern marine life.