Northern Ireland scientist uncovers "super sense" that makes marine mammals master divers

A scientist from Northern Ireland has uncovered a unique ‘super sense’ that enhances the diving abilities of marine mammals.

Dr Chris McKnight, from County Antrim, has been studying how seals can hold their breath for much longer underwater than many other species as part of his research at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

He discovered that, in addition to their ability to efficiently store oxygen, seals possess a remarkable skill: they can cognitively sense the oxygen levels in their blood, preventing them from running out of oxygen and drowning.

"To find such a fundamental aspect of the evolution of marine mammals that is so central to a huge part of what they do - dive - is incredibly exciting," said Dr McKnight.

He went on to explain that this adaptation was “key” to the evolution of marine mammals such as seals and walruses. It also benefits other breath-hold diving animals, including birds and reptiles, enabling them to spend most of their lives submerged without the need for air.

Dr McKnight highlighted that this discovery feels “like something that has been right under our nose all this time.”

He added, "As simple and as logical as it might seem at face value, that seals can sense oxygen, and that this helps them to make decisions so they don't run out of oxygen and drown, evolutionarily it puts them and their physiology amongst some of the most uniquely adapted animals."

This breakthrough provides a new understanding of marine mammals’ evolutionary adaptations, highlighting their exceptional ability to thrive in the deep.

By Aghakazim Guliyev