Southern Ocean Isolation Shaped the Evolution of the Colossal Squid

The remote and encircling currents of Antarctica created a natural laboratory for extreme evolution.

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The Antarctic Circumpolar Current has flowed continuously for millions of years, shaping regional biodiversity.

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current isolates Southern Ocean ecosystems from warmer waters, fostering unique evolutionary pathways for species like Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni.

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💥 Impact (click to read)

Geographic and thermal isolation limited gene flow with other squid populations, potentially accelerating specialized adaptations such as hook development and cold tolerance.

This evolutionary separation explains why the colossal squid is endemic to Antarctic waters and absent from other major ocean basins.

Source

British Antarctic Survey

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