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Sea nomads, often referred to as the **Sama-Bajau** or **Bajau people**, are indigenous groups known for their seafaring lifestyle in Southeast Asia. They primarily inhabit the waters around the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Here are some key points about the sea nomads:
Lifestyle: The Bajau people traditionally live on boats or in stilt houses over the water. They are known for their exceptional diving abilities and often make a living through fishing and trading marine products.
Cultural Practices: Their unique way of life includes a deep connection to the sea, with many Bajau children learning to swim before they can walk. They have developed remarkable adaptations for freediving, such as larger spleens, which help them stay underwater for extended periods.
Nomadic Nature: Historically, the Bajau have been nomadic, moving from place to place in search of better fishing grounds and to avoid conflicts.Source: Conversation with Copilot, 6/29/2024
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The Bajau people, often called the “Sea Nomads,” have developed a genetic adaptation that allows them to dive to great depths and stay submerged longer than average humans. Their remarkable abilities stem from a unique gene variant related to their spleens. This variant affects the PDE10A gene, leading to larger spleens that supply extra oxygen. As a result, Sea Nomads can hold their breath for up to 13 minutes—far surpassing typical human capabilities.
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Sea nomads, particularly the Bajau people of Southeast Asia, are known for their incredible breath-holding abilities and freediving skills. Studies have shown that they may have a genetic adaptation that contributes to this talent.
The variant is found in the gene called PDE10A. This gene plays a role in regulating thyroid hormone levels. The specific variant in the Bajau people is associated with larger spleens.
The spleen is an organ that stores red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. When we dive, our spleen contracts, releasing red blood cells and extra oxygen into our bloodstream. A larger spleen may provide sea nomads with a larger reserve of oxygen-rich red blood cells, allowing them to stay underwater for longer periods.
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The PDE10A gene encodes the enzyme phosphodiesterase 10A, which is part of the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase family. This enzyme plays a crucial role in signal transduction by regulating the intracellular concentration of cyclic nucleotides like cAMP and cGMP.
Function: It hydrolyzes both cAMP and cGMP, with a higher affinity for cAMP.
Location: It is highly expressed in the striatum, a brain region involved in movement and cognition.
Clinical Relevance: Dysfunctions in PDE10A are linked to disorders like schizophrenia and striatal degeneration.The PDE10A gene is linked to the remarkable diving abilities of the Bajau people, also known as the “Sea Nomads.” Studies have shown that a specific variant of the PDE10A gene is associated with larger spleens in the Bajau. This adaptation allows them to store more oxygenated red blood cells, enabling them to hold their breath and dive for extended periods.
Besides the larger spleens linked to the PDE10A gene, the Bajau people, or “Sea Nomads,” have other genetic adaptations that enhance their diving abilities:
1. Thyroid Hormone Regulation: Variants in genes controlling thyroid hormone levels, such as T4, help increase metabolic rate and oxygen efficiency.
2. Oxygen Management: Genes like FAM178B are involved in maintaining proper pH balance in the blood, aiding in efficient oxygen use.
3. Blood Flow Adaptation: Certain genes help redirect blood flow from the limbs to vital organs like the brain, heart, and lungs during dives.These adaptations collectively enable the Bajau to dive deeper and longer than most people.
This genetic mutation is believed to have evolved through natural selection, favoring individuals with enhanced diving capabilities.
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You may find this article useful:
Physiological and Genetic Adaptations to Diving in Sea Nomads
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2018.03.054
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