DNA analysis reveals two Hirondellea amphipods range farther and deeper than known
by Annelies GartnerLisa Lock
scientific editor
Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process
Andrew Zinin
lead editor
Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process
Editors' notes
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
fact-checked
peer-reviewed publication
trusted source
proofread
The GIST
Add as preferred source
Two deep-sea amphipod species have been found to live in both hemispheres and share features, according to a new study that boosts our understanding of the biodiversity and evolutionary processes shaping deep-sea ecosystems. Dr. Paige Maroni and Professor Alan Jamieson, from The University of Western Australia's School of Biological Sciences, were co-authors of the study published in Marine Biology.
"Our understanding of deep-sea biodiversity and biogeography is limited due to the logistical, technological and financial constraints associated with exploring these extreme and remote habitats," Dr. Maroni said.
The study investigated the deep-sea amphipod species Hirondellea gigas and Hirondellea dubia, known for their vast geographic distributions and remarkable depth ranges. Specimens were DNA sequenced and analyzed from 26 abyssal and hadal zones across the globe, from water depths of 2,500 meters to 10,929 meters.
"We found that the known ranges of both species were larger than previously thought and they had shared features across both hemispheres," Dr. Maroni said. "Hirondellea gigas was predominantly known as a northern hemisphere species, but we now know it is also in the southern hemisphere and shares features with Hirondellea dubia."
The study also confirmed the boundaries of several species that had not been formally described and named within the genus Hirondellea. "These findings represent an important step forward in understanding the biodiversity and evolutionary processes shaping deep-sea ecosystems," Dr. Maroni said. "We have highlighted the complex population structures that exist within hadal zones and shown how difficult it is to make generalizations about closely related species living in these environments.
"It underscores the urgent need for continued research in this challenging but vitally important frontier."
Publication details
Paige J. Maroni et al, Biogeography and phylogeny of two deep-sea amphipod species: Hirondellea gigas and Hirondellea dubia (Crustacea: malacostraca: Amphipoda), Marine Biology (2026). DOI: 10.1007/s00227-026-04809-6
Journal information: Marine Biology
Key concepts
Provided by University of Western Australia