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Sea urchins rolling with the punches

Purple sea urchins have been found to be able to evolve extremely rapidly in relation to their environment.

Experiments conducted with purple sea urchins have found previously unknown genetic variations that allow the urchins to regulate their internal PH levels depending on what types of water they are in. This enables them to survive in oceans of higher acidity or different temperatures than they usually would.

The discovery has prompted scientists to believe that other marine species will also have similar abilities, which will be an important factor in the survival of species as ocean acidity levels rise.

Read more at Stanford University

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