Scientists Discover Potential Bio-Geographic Barrier in Atlantic Ocean influencing Jellyfish Distribution
A recent study has revealed compelling evidence of a previously unknown bio-geographic barrier in the Atlantic ocean that appears too be influencing the distribution of a specific jellyfish species, Botrynema brucei ellinorae. Despite strong genetic similarities between specimens found north and south of the 47th parallel,meaningful differences in their physical shapes suggest a separation mechanism is at play.
The research, led by Montenegro, indicates that this barrier, rather than being a physical obstruction, is likely biological or geographical in nature. “The differences in shape, despite strong genetic similarities across specimens, above and below 47 degrees north, hint at the existence of an unknown deep-sea bio-geographic barrier in the Atlantic Ocean,” Montenegro stated.
This potential barrier is situated within the North Atlantic Drift, a warm ocean current extending from the Gulf Stream. While it’s not yet confirmed if the current itself is the impediment,one hypothesis suggests that knobless jellyfish may be unable to escape predators found south of this current. The advantage of possessing a knob for survival in thes southern waters remains an open question. Montenegro elaborated, “The barrier ‘could keep specimens without a knob confined to the north while allowing the free transit of specimens with a knob further south.'”
In contrast, the pacific Ocean side of the Arctic waters shows no such barrier for knobless B. brucei ellinorae. The Bering Strait, with its shallow depth of only 165 feet (50 m), naturally prevents deep-sea creatures like these jellyfish from migrating south.
The identification of this potential oceanic barrier associated with the North Atlantic Drift is significant for advancing scientific understanding of evolutionary connections and dispersal patterns. Montenegro emphasized the broader implications: “The presence of two specimens with distinctive shapes within a single genetic lineage highlights the need to study more about the biodiversity of gelatinous marine animals.”
