• About 10 million years ago, Antarctica’s Southern Ocean started to get so cold that it scared away most fish in the region. • Among the fish that stayed were what are now known as black rockcod, part of a famously sturdy family of Antarctic fish. • But the black rockcod’s future could also now be in jeopardy as Southern Ocean temperatures are projected to shift in the opposite direction due to climate change.
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- Summary
Climate change is threatening the black rockcod, a species that has survived in Antarctica’s Southern Ocean for millions of years. About 10 million years ago, the ocean’s temperatures dropped so drastically that most fish fled, leaving the hardy black rockcod and its relatives behind. Today, rising sea temperatures-projected to reverse the long‑standing cold trend-pose a new risk to these fish. Scientists warn that the warming waters could undermine the rockcod’s survival, despite its historical resilience, highlighting the broader impacts of climate change on Antarctic marine ecosystems.
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