Glowing ‘bomber worms’ discovered

[nosferatu_dj]

http://xenophilius.wordpress.com/2009/08/22/glowing-bomber-worms-discovered/
Posted by Xeno (http://www.xenophilia.com/) on August 22, 2009

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46241000/jpg/_46241091_osborn5.jpg
A group of glowing worms has been found dwelling in the deep ocean, some of which release body parts as tiny “bombs” to ward off predators. Researchers describe the bizarre “Swima worms” in Science journal.
The creatures, which the scientists say could be widespread in the deep sea, indicate the extent of biodiversity yet to be discovered in the oceans.
The team found them whilst exploring the waters just above the sea-bed off the west coast of the US.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46234000/jpg/_46234717_greenbombers-k.osborn.jpgLead author Karen Osborn, from the University of California San Diego, told BBC News that she and her colleagues found the worms accidentally, whilst exploring the deep oceans with remotely operated submersible vehicles.
“We came across them and thought they were very interesting, firstly because of their bioluminescence,” she said.
“When we brought them up and realised they were different from anything that had been described before, we became even more interested.”
Dr Osborn and her colleagues were exploring depths of up to 3,700m when they spotted the creatures.
As they continued to bring more of the worms back to their lab, they realised they had found a group of previously unknown animals.
Each of the seven species found so far is transparent apart its gut, and all of the worms produce colourful bioluminescence.
The researchers are now investigating what chemicals the animals produce to give rise to their striking glow.
The animals are also excellent swimmers – using fans of long bristles that form swimming paddles.
via BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Glowing ‘bomber worms’ discovered (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8210645.stm).

[truth finder]

exactly why look in space when there is lot to be explored in earth, so many exiting creatures yet to be discoverd here....the ocean and even lakes have so much to find...

[mrindigo]

exactly why look in space when there is lot to be explored in earth, so many exiting creatures yet to be discoverd here....the ocean and even lakes have so much to find...

My thoughts exactly!

There is still very much to be learned here on Earth. To be quite honest, I don't think humans have really earned the right to travel through space anyway. We can't live a day with each other without wanting to blow one another off the map. As a whole, most of us don't take care of the environment around us, and then wonder why we get sick after polluting and decimating nature. That speaks volumes of how much progression we really have to go through.

The worms themselves are really neat looking. They're just a fraction of the diversity of life out there. When I see things like this, it makes me chuckle when Science states a specific set of guidelines in which life can only exist by. Life is much more resilient than is commonly given credit.

[dooby]

They remind me a little of "rods" or "skyfish":

http://paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa051302a.htm?terms=indoor+flying+object

[godgoo]

Very interesting, sod this lets get over to Europa and drop a sub on there and see if any of these critters are inhabiting some hydrothermal vents at the bottom, life like this does make me wonder about the possibility of life elsewhere but no too far from home?.

[nosferatu_dj]

you are all right....
but at the same time.. i do not think we should remain "grounded" to earth.
as this would not be productive... as people would be scrambling over EVERY last inch of land and in the process "destroying" the habitat and eco-system of the life we are in search of.... this is kinda a "catch 22 situation"

is why i say... send those destructive "scientist" up into space where there is planets without life they can go "explore".

New organisms found living in volcanoes (http://www.popsci.com.au/environment/article/2009-08/new-organisms-found-living-volcanoes)


Scientists get a new understanding of geothermal ecosystems
By ScienceAlert Australia and New Zealand Posted 19.08.2009 at 3:26 pm
http://www.popsci.com.au/files/imagecache/article_image_large/files/articles/collegelabs_lava_485.jpg by Courtesy U.S. Geological Survey/Hawaiian Volcano Observatory: HOT ROCK A U.S.G.S. student volunteer pokes into a "skylight" on Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano to get a lava sample.
"It's humbling to see the lava flowing into the ocean, forming steam plumes. you're just awestruck, no matter how much you know about the science."—Jennifer Adleman, former volunteer Courtesy U.S. Geological Survey/Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
New research has uncovered microorganisms in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) that haven’t been found anywhere else in the world. The three-year study was carried out by GNS Science and catalogued microorganisms living in selected geothermal systems in the TVZ. GNS scientist Matthew Stott presented the study’s findings to Environment Waikato’s environment committee meeting in Hamilton today.
Microorganisms are single-celled organisms so tiny you need a microscope to see them. They make up 50 per cent of the world’s biomass and are vital to the healthy functioning of our planet. Dr Stott said DNA sequencing work had revealed an “extraordinary diversity” of bacterial species in the geothermal systems, the function and role of many of which were unknown. “Up until now the microbial diversity in geothermal systems in the Taupo Volcanic Zone has not been systematically catalogued,” Dr Stott said. “This study has shown that New Zealand geothermal systems house an extraordinary population of unique and possibly globally rare microorganisms. We’re still not sure whether this diversity relates to the uniqueness of New Zealand geothermal systems, or whether it’s because of the relative immaturity of the global understanding of microbial ecology science.
“Current estimates are that we only know of 5-10 per cent of the total microbial species on earth.”
Dr Stott said two highlights of the study were the discovery of a new microbial metabolism in a species isolated from a geothermal soil, and that scientists had managed to grow the first representative of a new phylum (taxonomic rank).
Some of the species found in the Taupo geothermal systems showed potential for use in new technologies. “Geothermal microorganisms are an important repository of national and international biodiversity and many are being studied for medicinal and commercial applications, or are already being used for industrial processes,” he said. “For example, the DNA identification technique used in forensic and other applications relies on a thermophilic (heat-loving) microorganism isolated from Yellowstone National Park, USA, and is a multi-billion dollar industry.”
Environment committee chair Jane Hennebry said knowing what microorganisms were present in Taupo’s geothermal systems would help the council with an ongoing project to prioritise ecosystems for biodiversity protection. “Environment Waikato has a statutory responsibility to document the state of the environment and protect regional biodiversity,” she said.
“To do this for geothermal ecosystems we need to know about the range of microorganisms they contain. We also need to know whether they are unique to New Zealand and if they are under threat, and what extra measures we need to take to protect them.” The GNS Science study was principally funded by a $180 000 grant from the Wairakei Environmental Mitigation Charitable Trust. Environment Waikato contributed $15 000 of one-off funding for a report that will help with its biodiversity protection work.

[mrindigo]

you are all right....
but at the same time.. i do not think we should remain "grounded" to earth.
as this would not be productive... as people would be scrambling over EVERY last inch of land and in the process "destroying" the habitat and eco-system of the life we are in search of.... this is kinda a "catch 22 situation"

is why i say... send those destructive "scientist" up into space where there is planets without life they can go "explore".

I disagree. I would rather not be represented by those who would be little more than a blight floating through space, decimating everything in contact.

[nosferatu_dj]

I disagree. I would rather not be represented by those who would be little more than a blight floating through space, decimating everything in contact.

lolz no no ... you miss understand me.... i said "send them to the lifeless planets"

did not say they had to have anything to sustain themselfs with ;)

[mrindigo]

lolz no no ... you miss understand me.... i said "send them to the lifeless planets"

did not say they had to have anything to sustain themselfs with ;)

Lol, my mistake. :D :o