These findings were based on information contained in ice sediments from different depths. The expedition led by the Andalusian Institute of Earth Sciences (IACT)—a Spanish National Research Council-University of Granada joint centre. Before the ice covered Antarctica, the Earth was a warm place with a tropical climate. In this region, plankton diversity was high until glaciation reduced the populations leaving only those capable of surviving in the new climate. The Integrated Ocean Drilling Programme international expedition has obtained this information from the paaleoclimatic history preserved in sediment strata in the Antarctic depths. IACT researcher Carlota Escutia, who led the expedition, explained that “the fossil record of dinoflagellate cyst communities reflects the substantial reduction and specialisation of these species that took place when the ice cap became established and, with it, marked seasonal ice-pack formation and melting began”.

The appearance of the Antarctic polar icecap marks the beginning of plankton communities that are still functioning today. This ice-cap is associated with the ice-pack, the frozen part that disappears and reappears as a function of seasonal climate changes.

The researchers explained that when the ice-pack melts as the Antarctic summer approaches, this marks the increase in primary productivity of endemic plankton communities. When it melts, the ice frees the nutrients it has accumulated and these are used by the plankton. Dr Escutia said that “this phenomenon influences the dynamics of global primary productivity”.

Since ice first expanded across Antarctica and caused the dinoflagellate communities to specialize, these species have been undergoing constant change and evolution. However, the IACT researcher thinks “the great change came when the species simplified their form and found they were forced to adapt to the new climatic conditions”.

Pre-glaciation sediment contained highly varied dinoflagellate communities, with star-shaped morphologies.