Adaptation of Marine Animals to Extreme Environments

Marine animals have evolved in extreme environments such as polar regions, the deep sea, and hydrothermal vents by modifying their morphology, physiology, and behavior based on their genetic makeup. Though they are extraordinarily interesting and should be extensively explored, e.g., by searching for creatures on Mars, our efforts to do just that have been hampered by the limited accessibility inherent in such locations. Even marine animals in the ＂boundary＂ zone (e.g., where it is temperate, and oxygen is at a minimum) show a surprising acclimation ability to extreme weather events or unexpected changes in the environment. We can learn pivotal lessons from how these animals adapt to extreme environments and can even apply their mechanisms, functions, or biomaterials to future technology advancements. This Special Issue is open to scientists and engineers in any field who study the adaptation of marine animals to extreme environments and want to bring new insights and stimulate interactions between experts from diverse disciplines.