Thursday, March 28, 2024

Scientists Try To Explain The Lack Of Insects In The Ocean

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A team of scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University has released a hypothesis explaining the lack of insects in our oceans.

While insects are abundant on land, the situation in the ocean is vastly different, with very few insects in the earth’s seas.

According to the hypothesis, the main cause of this is the chemical mechanism that causes insect shells to harden. This mechanism uses an enzyme called multicopper oxidase-2 (MCO2) and molecular oxygen. However, in an aquatic environment, this mechanism puts insects at a disadvantage and plays a negative evolutionary role.

The researchers believe the problems with the process are due to the lack of oxygen in seawater compared to air and the shell-hardening process itself. Both factors combined have meant that very few insects have met the challenges faced of evolving in multiple environments.

You can find the original research here.

Sam Helmy
Sam Helmyhttps://www.deeperblue.com
Sam Helmy is a TDI/SDI Instructor Trainer, and PADI Staff and Trimix Instructor. Diving for 28 years, a dive pro for 14, I have traveled extensively chasing my passion for diving. I am passionate about everything diving, with a keen interest in exploration, Sharks and big stuff, Photography and Decompression theory. Diving is definitely the one and only passion that has stayed with me my whole life! Sam is a Staff Writer for DeeperBlue.com

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