"Modern penguins likely first evolved in the cooler coastal regions of Australia and New Zealand, before later spreading south into Antarctic waters. The conclusions were based on genomic analysis of blood and tissue samples from 18 penguin species, allowing scientists to reconstruct their evolutionary history and patterns of diversification."
"The study estimates that penguins originated around 22 million years ago in temperate marine environments, rather than in extreme polar conditions. From these early populations, species such as king and emperor penguins are believed to have migrated toward Antarctica, likely driven by abundant food resources in colder southern oceans."
"Researchers found that penguin evolution has been shaped by major climatic shifts, particularly the formation and intensification of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Over millions of years, this helped isolate and cool the Southern Ocean, enabling penguins to expand into a wide range of environments."
"According to UC Berkeley professor Rauri Bowie, penguins display one of the broadest thermal ranges of any bird species, adapting to various climates from near-freezing Antarctic waters to subtropical regions."
Penguins are native to the Southern Hemisphere, with origins traced back to cooler coastal regions of Australia and New Zealand. A 2020 study revealed that modern penguins evolved around 22 million years ago in temperate marine environments, not polar conditions. They later migrated to Antarctica, influenced by climatic shifts and food availability. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current played a significant role in their evolution, allowing penguins to thrive in diverse environments, from Antarctic waters to subtropical areas like the Galápagos Islands.
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