In an exciting new study released this week, researchers have discovered that sea turtle genes are adapting rapidly to their changing environments all over the world. Scientists from the University of California, Davis and the University of Georgia have found that sea turtles are evolving to cope with climate change, ocean acidification and other environmental pressures. This finding provides hope that these ancient creatures may be able to survive the environmental challenges of the 21st century. The study looked at genetic data from sea turtles living in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean and Caribbean Sea. The researchers found that many of the turtles had adapted to their local environments, including changes in temperature, pH balance and salinity. This adaptation was especially pronounced in the Indian Ocean, where sea turtle populations had evolved a tolerance to higher temperatures and lower salinities. The findings of this study show that sea turtles are incredibly resilient and are able to adapt to their changing environment. This is encouraging news for conservationists who are working to protect these ancient creatures from the threats posed by climate change.

Read Full Article Here

source: Phys.org