Findings demonstrate how marine life can sustain in sub-zero temperatures using their unique adaptation mechanisms
Snailfish found on an iceberg habitat in Greenland can survive in icy Arctic waters due to the presence of ‘antifreeze’ proteins in its bloodstream. But it could be in trouble as the Arctic and its water warms due to climate change, according to researchers from the American Museum of Natural History.
The increased biodiversity that warmer waters bring to higher latitudes can increase competition, thereby jeopardising its position in the food chain, they pointed out.
“Since the mid-20th century, temperatures have increased twice as fast in the Arctic as in mid-latitudes and some studies predict that if Arctic sea ice decline continues at this current rate, in the summer the Arctic Ocean will be mostly ice-free within the next three decades,” said co-author, John Sparks.
Museum researchers diving in the icy waters surrounding Greenland in 2019 discovered the small fish glowing in green and red.
They were initially attracted to its biofluorescence, which allows it to glow green and red in the dark Arctic waters. Biofluorescence is the ability of an organism to convert blue light into green, red, or yellow light. It is rarely found in Arctic fish due to prolonged periods of darkness in the region.
Snailfish is the only polar fish reported to have biofluorescence.
Upon further investigation of the biofluorescent properties of snailfish, the researchers discovered the presence of antifreeze proteins.
“When we discovered that the snailfish was biofluorescent, we sequenced its entire transcriptome to look for the gene responsible for its fluorescent protein. While we did not locate this gene, we noticed that some of the most highly expressed genes were related to antifreeze proteins,” Gruber told Gizmodo, a news portal.
This extraordinary feature, which is rare among sea organisms, allows snailfish to prevent ice crystals from accumulating in their cells and body fluid, said the findings of the study published in Evolutionary Bioinformatics August 16,2022.
Fish cannot survive being partially frozen, unlike certain other reptile and insect species.
The findings demonstrate how marine life can sustain in sub-zero temperatures using their unique adaptation mechanisms.
“Similar to how antifreeze in your car keeps the water in your radiator from freezing in cold temperatures, some animals have evolved amazing machinery that prevent them from freezing, such as antifreeze proteins, which prevent ice crystals from forming,” said David Gruber, a research associate at the Museum.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
The fish may find it difficult to adjust to the rapidly rising ocean temperatures brought on by global warming. Photo: American Museum of Natural History.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.