The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
Times Media

.

What octopus DNA tells us about Antarctic ice sheet collapse

  • Written by Sally Lau, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, James Cook University
What octopus DNA tells us about Antarctic ice sheet collapse

If we want to understand the future, it’s often useful to look at the past. And even more useful if you use octopus DNA to peer into worlds long gone.

About 125,000 years ago, the Earth was in its last warm period between ice ages. Global average temperatures during this interglacial period were about 0.5–1.5°C warmer than pre-industrial levels.

This has strong parallels with our time. For a third of 2023[1], the Earth’s temperature has been 1.5°C warmer than the pre-industrial era, driven by climate change.

For almost 50 years[2] physical scientists have sought the answer to whether or not the vast West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapsed the last time global temperatures were this high. Rather than relying only on geological sampling, we turned to the DNA of a small Antarctic octopus for clues to the deep past.

The DNA had an answer. Our new research[3] shows yes, it most likely collapsed.

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is very susceptible to warming[4]. If it melts, it has enough water to raise global sea levels by 3.3 to 5 metres.

Turquet’s octopus (Pareledone turqueti) lives on the seafloor around Antarctica. Dave Barnes/British Antarctic Survey

Of octopuses and giant ice sheets

Sediment records and other ice cores show us that the ice sheet retreated at some point during the last ~1 million years in the late Pleistocene, but the exact timing and extent of any collapse remain ambiguous.

To get a more precise answer, we looked to cephalopod genetics.

Every organism’s DNA is a history book, and we now have the technology to read it. We can use DNA to look back in time and pinpoint when different populations of animals were interbreeding.

Turquet’s octopus (Pareledone turqueti) is fairly small, weighing up to 600 grams. They live on the seafloor all around Antarctica, but individuals don’t move far from home. Antarctica is so vast that populations in different regions cannot usually interbreed.

Deep under West Antarctica lies gaps in the rocks. At present, these are filled by the ice sheet, making the Weddell, Amundsen and Ross seas separate from each other.

If the ice melted, seaways would open up and connect these isolated basins. Octopuses could directly migrate into these regions and the evidence of their breeding would be laid down in DNA.

But if the ice sheet didn’t melt, we would only see evidence of breeding between octopus populations along the circumference of the continent.

A polar map of Antarctica showing a modern Antarctic Ice Sheet on the left and on the right a visualisation of Antarctica with areas only above present day sea level.
On the left is the modern Antarctic Ice Sheet. On the right only areas of Antarctica above present day sea level. If the marine-based West Antarctic Ice Sheet – most of which is below sea level – disappeared, you can see the seaways connecting Weddell Sea, Amundsen Sea and Ross Sea (black arrows). BEDMAP2 data/British Antarctic Survey

We compared DNA patterns in Turquet octopus genomes all around Antarctica to see if there were direct and unique connections between octopus populations in the Weddell, Amundsen and Ross seas. We used statistical models to figure out if these connections could be explained by their present day connections around the Antarctic coastline.

Read more: We can still prevent the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet – if we act fast to keep future warming in check[5]

The story was clear in the DNA: yes, there had been direct connections between these three octopus populations. Their connections could not be statistically explained by interbreeding around the present day Antarctic coastline. These populations could only come into contact through seaways now blocked by the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Even more interesting, we first found direct connections between the three populations during the mid-Pliocene, 3 million to 3.6 million years ago when temperatures were 2–3°C hotter and sea levels 25m higher than today. This supports existing geological evidence[6] that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapsed during that era.

The most recent DNA signatures of direct connections between the octopuses of these three seas was during the last interglacial period around 125,000 years ago. That suggests the ice sheet collapsed when the global average temperature was around 1.5°C hotter than pre-industrial levels.

Our work provides the first empirical evidence the West Antarctic Ice Sheet could begin to collapse if we exceed the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C or even 2°C.

ross sea If the West Antarctic ice sheet melted, seaways would open up – and octopuses would mingle. Ted Scambos/AP

This discovery took effort across disciplines and countries

To use animal DNA as a proxy for changes in the ice sheet, we had to work across disciplines and countries. Bringing together physical scientists and biologists gave rise to new ways to answer long standing questions of vital importance to all of us.

We also turned to museum collections for samples. Some dated back three decades – well before the genetic sequencing and analytical techniques we used were available. This demonstrates the vital importance of careful sample preservation, linked with metadata, with specimens protected for future access.

Interdisciplinary science is hard. It requires time, effort, and an open mind to appreciate new terminologies, scales and approaches. Journal editors and scientists can be reluctant to review such papers, as some aspects of the research will necessarily be outside the area of their expertise. But we hope our results show the value of this approach.

The Antarctic seafloor is covered in marine life. Many of their ancestors also lived through climate changes in the past.

What’s next?

We hope to continue using DNA as a proxy to explore other parts of Antarctica with poorly understood climate histories.

There is a wealth of information[7] on Antarctica’s recent and distant past also hidden in other types of biological data in moss beds and peat profiles, vertebrate animal colonies and living terrestrial and marine invertebrates. To date, very few of these biological archives have been brought into our understanding of Antarctica’s past climates.

As the world heats up at an unprecedented rate, we need to use these types of approaches to understand what else is likely to happen down on the ice.

Read more: Increasing melting of West Antarctic ice shelves may be unavoidable – new research[8]

Read more https://theconversation.com/what-octopus-dna-tells-us-about-antarctic-ice-sheet-collapse-218810

The Times Features

The Gift That Keeps Growing: Why Tinybeans+ Gift Cards are a game-changer for new parents

As new parents navigate the joys and challenges of raising a child in the digital age, one question looms large: how do you preserve and share your baby's milestones without co...

Group Adventures Made Easy: How to Coordinate Shuttle Services from DCA to IAD

Traveling as a large group can be both exciting and challenging, especially when navigating busy airports like DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) and IAD (Washington...

From Anxiety to Assurance: Proven Strategies to Support Your Child's Emotional Health

Navigating the intricate landscape of childhood emotions can be a daunting task for any parent, especially when faced with common fears and anxieties. However, transforming anxie...

The Rise of Meal Replacement Shakes in Australia: Why The Lady Shake Is Leading the Pack

Source Meal replacement shakes are having a moment in Australia, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re quick, convenient, and packed with nutrition, making them the perfect solu...

HCF’s Healthy Hearts Roadshow Wraps Up 2024 with a Final Regional Sprint

Next week marks the final leg of the HCF Healthy Hearts Roadshow for 2024, bringing free heart health checks to some of NSW’s most vibrant regional communities. As Australia’s ...

The Budget-Friendly Traveler: How Off-Airport Car Hire Can Save You Money

When planning a trip, transportation is one of the most crucial considerations. For many, the go-to option is renting a car at the airport for convenience. But what if we told ...

Times Magazine

Types of EV Chargers

The world of electric vehicles is a confusing one, filled with abbreviations and acronyms that even the most seasoned EV drivers can't keep straight. It's also a rapidly changing landscape where cutting-edge technology is being developed at an in...

WITHINGS, the pioneer of the connected health movement announces Body Scan

The connected health station helps users get a handle on health with the ability to measure health vitals and access to personal health plans based on behavioural science WITHINGS, the pioneer of the connected health movement, brings the smart s...

Tesselaar Tulip Festival

THE BULBS ARE BACK FOR A DAZZLING DISPLAY THIS SPRING AT THE 2022 TESSELAAR TULIP FESTIVAL  The much-loved and visually spectacular Tesselaar Tulip Festival, in Melbourne’s magical Dandenong Ranges, returns this spring to once again surprise, de...

Key Things To Do Before Choosing A Funeral Director

When it comes to planning a funeral, there are many aspects involved in ensuring a smooth-sailing burial service or wake. However, it can get overwhelming to organise a funeral on your own while grieving, especially if the deceased is your loved on...

What are the Key Features of Zeller EFTPOS Devices?

As we are well aware, EFTPOS devices serve as the cornerstone of contemporary transactions. However, it is important to acknowledge that not all of these devices are crafted with equal precision. Some are slow, others don't have fancy features like...

10 Important things to know about moving to Sydney

Do you want to start a new life in the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney as a resident of Melbourne? Before moving to Sydney, hire Melbourne to Sydney removalists. Also, prepare yourself and read our list of things you need to know before moving to Syd...