Fish adapted to the deep sea 80 million years earlier than we thought

Life

A set of unusual “trace” fossils in Italy reveal that fish were swimming in the deep ocean about 130 million years ago – much earlier than we had thought

By Sofia Quaglia

A chimaera fish — A deep-sea chimaera, also known as a ghost shark

Andrea Baucon et al.

Fish started to live in the deep sea at least 130 million years ago – 80 million years earlier than we thought – fossils found in Italy suggest.

“The discovery was like finding astronaut footprints on the moon,” says study author Andrea Baucon from the University of Genoa in Italy. “We discovered when and where vertebrates colonised the deep sea.”

The deep sea is an unpromising habitat for fish: It is frigid, pitch-black, periodically swept by powerful currents, and characterised by high-pressure conditions that …

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 14th June 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

Existing subscribers