New genetic evidence from a study of Turquet's octopus suggests that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is at risk of collapsing, leading to potential sea level rise.

Octopuses from different areas around Antarctica were found to have intermingled and swapped DNA about 120,000 years ago, suggesting the ice sheet was not present at that time.

If the ice sheet were to melt entirely, global sea levels could rise by up to 16 feet.

A global warming increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius over preindustrial levels may be a tipping point for the ice sheet.

The Last Interglacial period, when the octopus DNA mingling occurred, provides a good analogy for present-day climate change.

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is at a greater risk of collapse than previously believed, with a potential long-term sea level rise of 3.3-5 meters.

This underscores the urgent need to limit global warming to prevent the tipping point for the ice sheet's collapse.

Further DNA analysis of other animals may provide more insight into the ice sheet's history and future fate.