"Unveiling the Ancient Deep-Sea Dwellers: 104 Million-Year-Old Fossils Reveal Ocean's Past"
Fossil evidence suggests that irregular echinoids, or sea urchins, have inhabited the deep sea for at least 104 million years since the Cretaceous period. Researchers analyzed over 40,000 spine fragments from sediment samples and observed evolutionary changes over time, including after major extinction events. The study also highlights the potential impact of future global warming on deep-sea ecosystems.