Photo of the new deep sea mushroom-shaped organism. Credit: Just et al.
Posted on 09/03/2014 11:54:05 AM PDT by Red Badger
Scientists discovered two new species of sea-dwelling, mushroom-shaped organisms, according to a study published September 3, 2014 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Jean Just from University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and colleagues.
Scientists classify organisms based on shared characteristics using a taxonomic rank, including kingdom, phylum, and species. In 1986, the authors of this study collected organisms at 400 and 1000 meters deep on the south-east Australian continental slope and only just recently isolated two types of mushroom-shaped organisms that they couldn't classify into an existing phylum.
The new organisms are multicellular and mostly non-symmetrical, with a dense layer of gelatinous material between the outer skin cell and inner stomach cell layers. The organisms were classified as two new species in a new genus, Dendrogramma enigmatica and Dendrogramma discoides, in the new family, Dendrogrammatidae. Scientists found similarities between the organisms and members of Ctenophora and Cnidaria and suggest that they may be related to one of these phyla. Scientists also found similarities to 600 million year-old Pre-Cambrian extinct life forms, suggested by some to be early but failed attempts at multi-cellular life.
The authors originally preserved the specimens in neutral formaldehyde and stored them in 80% ethanol, which makes them unsuitable for molecular analysis. However, they suggest attempting to secure new samples for further study, which may provide further insight into their relationship to other organisms.
Jørgen Olesen added: "New mushroom-shaped animals from the deep sea discovered which could not be placed in any recognized group of animals. Two species are recognized and current evidence suggest that they represent an early branch on the tree of life, with similarities to the 600 mill old extinct Ediacara fauna."
More information: Just J, Kristensen RM, Olesen J (2014) Dendrogramma, New Genus, with Two New Non-Bilaterian Species from the Marine Bathyal of Southeastern Australia (Animalia, Metazoa incertae sedis) – with Similarities to Some Medusoids from the Precambrian Ediacara. PLoS ONE 9(9): e102976. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102976
Journal reference: PLoS ONE
Photo of the new deep sea mushroom-shaped organism. Credit: Just et al.
And they’re tasty sauteed in a white wine sauce with garlic, onions and a few dashes of salt. Serves well over steak.
A pair of lips and a poop chute, just like many Democrats that I know.
They look like jellyfish. The Asian gourmets love jellyfish..........
http://koreanfood.about.com/od/fishandseafoodrecipes/r/Jellyfish-Salad-Haepari-Naengchae-Recipe.htm
Upon consumption, do you see really cool colors?
Well yeah, but only for a little while,
at a depth of 1000 meters.
Getting them to your mouth is the hard part
after that you’re on a cloud.
“The Asian gourmets love jellyfish.”
So do I! Got some in my fridge right now!
Cool. Thanks for posting this.
They’ve had them since 1986...................Kinda slow discovery..................
Note: this topic is from 9/03/2014.Thanks Red Badger.
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