Disney / Monique Steele for BuzzFeed

Shaw says, "Merpeople living in the open ocean would be expected to be fast, because they have a lot of ground to cover. They are also likely to be social (e.g., travel in pods) and therefore, have evolved advanced communication skills and we all know that Ariel’s voice is coveted for its beauty. These adaptations would provide a means for them to stay connected despite the vastness of the open ocean."

Ariel's coloring would also change if she evolved in the open ocean. She would have a darker color on her back (dorsal) side, and a lighter color on her belly (ventral) side, which would make it harder for predators to see her. Since the open ocean can be a dangerous place, Ariel would be extremely sleek and smooth, void of any frills that would provide resistance and slow her down when escaping a predator.