Polar gigantism

Polar gigantism is the tendency of Arctic and Antarctic fauna to have unusually large body sizes.[1] One theory proposed to explain the phenomenon is the oxygen-temperature hypothesis, which argues that greater oxygen content in colder waters supports larger organisms.[2] All species exhibiting traits of polar gigantism are marine.

One example of a species that exhibits polar gigantism is the Greenland shark, which can grow up to 24 feet long. Another example is the Colossal squid, the heaviest living invertebrate, that is endemic in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica.[3] In fact, the Southern Ocean is also home to one of the largest sponges in the world, Anoxycalyx joubini. Other noted animals include Glyptonotus antarcticus, a large crustacean, the large Antarctic scallop, and many species of the sea star genus Leptychaster.[4]

Certain samples of sea spiders living in polar areas have displayed large leg lengths.[5] However, experiments testing the oxygen-temperature hypothesis have shown that small and large sea spiders react similarly when faced with particular proportions of oxygen; the study could indicate that the oxygen-temperature hypothesis is flawed.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Shishido, Caitlin M.; Woods, H. Arthur; Lane, Steven J.; Toh, Ming Wei A.; Tobalske, Bret W.; Moran, Amy L. (2019-04-10). "Polar gigantism and the oxygen–temperature hypothesis: a test of upper thermal limits to body size in Antarctic pycnogonids". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 286 (1900) 20190124. doi:10.1098/rspb.2019.0124. PMC 6501676. PMID 30966982.
  2. ↑ "Polar Giants". Marine Science Institute. The University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  3. ↑ Rosa, Rui; Lopes, Vanessa M.; Guerreiro, Miguel; Bolstad, Kathrin; Xavier, José C. (2017-09-01). "Biology and ecology of the world's largest invertebrate, the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni): a short review". Polar Biology. 40 (9): 1871–1883. doi:10.1007/s00300-017-2104-5. ISSN 1432-2056.
  4. ↑ Dell, R. K. (1972-01-01), Russell, Frederick S.; Yonge, Maurice (eds.), "Antarctic Benthos", Advances in Marine Biology, vol. 10, Academic Press, pp. 1–216, doi:10.1016/S0065-2881(08)60416-2, retrieved 2026-07-15
  5. ↑ Arnaud, F.; Bamber, R. N. (1988-01-01), Blaxter, J. H. S.; Southward, A. J. (eds.), "The Biology of Pycnogonida", Advances in Marine Biology, vol. 24, Academic Press, pp. 1–96, doi:10.1016/S0065-2881(08)60073-5, retrieved 2026-07-15
  6. ↑ Woods, H. Arthur; Moran, Amy L; Arango, Claudia P; Mullen, Lindy; Shields, Chris (2008-12-09). "Oxygen hypothesis of polar gigantism not supported by performance of Antarctic pycnogonids in hypoxia". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 276 (1659): 1069–1075. doi:10.1098/rspb.2008.1489. ISSN 0962-8452. PMC 2679066. PMID 19129117.
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