News in Brief Life

Larger spleens may help ‘sea nomads’ stay underwater longer

DNA tests reveal the genetic underpinnings of this adaptation in the ethnic Bajau divers

Bajau diver spear fishing

DAY JOB A Bajau diver, spear in hand, fishes off the coast of Indonesia. Bajau divers spend 60 percent of their diving time completely underwater, comparable to sea otters.

Melissa Ilardo

By Aimee Cunningham

- More than 2 years ago

In turquoise waters off the Indonesian coast, evolutionary geneticist Melissa Ilardo watched as the diver, wearing handmade, wooden goggles, spotted a giant clam meters below and darted down to retrieve it.