Ancient fish bones reveal how Arctic cod species survived the last ice age(opens in a new tab)
Glacial Arctic Ocean supported evolution of cold adaptation in marine fish, enabling Arctic cod species to survive the last ice age.
Event
Arctic Cod Bones Reveal Survival Through Last Ice Age
A Stockholm University study of fish otoliths from deep‑sea Arctic sediments, reported in Nature, Eco Magazine and Phys.org, shows ice cod and polar cod survived the Last Glacial Maximum and later diverged, indicating that a glacial Arctic Ocean supported the evolution of cold‑adapted marine fish.
Coverage
Phys.org Eco Magazine Arctic Fish Bones Reveal Cold Adaptation During the Last Ice Age(opens in a new tab)
Researchers recovered fish otoliths from central Arctic Ocean sediments that reveal ice cod and polar cod existed between 48,000 and 35,000 years ago, including both polar and sub‑polar latitudes, and that modern warming threatens these cold‑adapted species.
Nature Survival and divergence of Arctic endemic cod species during 50000 years of climate change(opens in a new tab)
Scientists recovered ancient fish ear stones from Central Arctic sediments, showing that ice cod and polar cod survived intermittent ice‑age periods but disappeared during the coldest glacial phase, highlighting climate‑driven species shifts over 50 000 years.
