"So, you think you're an individual. Is that it, Private Xenophyophore?"
Posted on 10/21/2011 9:39:48 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
Gigantic amoebas have been found in the Mariana Trench, the deepest region on Earth.
During a July 2011 voyage to the Pacific Ocean chasm, researchers with Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and National Geographic engineers deployed untethered landers, called dropcams, equipped with digital video and lights to explore the largely mysterious region of the deep sea.
The team documented the deepest known existence of xenophyophores, single-celled animals exclusively found in deep-sea environments. Xenophyophores are noteworthy for their size, with individual cells often exceeding 4 inches (10 centimeters), their extreme abundance on the seafloor and their role as hosts for a variety of organisms.
Extreme environment, extreme creature
The researchers spotted the life forms at depths up to 6.6 miles (10,641 meters) within the Sirena Deep of the Mariana Trench. The previous depth record for xenophyophores was approximately 4.7 miles (7,500 m) in the New Hebrides Trench, although sightings in the deepest portion of the Mariana Trench have been reported.
Scientists say xenophyophores are the largest individual cells in existence. Recent studies indicate that by trapping particles from the water, xenophyophores can concentrate high levels of lead, uranium and mercury and are thus likely resistant to large doses of heavy metals. They also are well suited to a life of darkness, low temperature and high pressure in the deep sea.
Scripps ocean engineer Kevin Hardy (right) and marine technician Josh Manger prepare to test Hardy's deep-sea lander at Scripps' Nimitz Marine Facility. Credit: Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego
"The identification of these gigantic cells in one of the deepest marine environments on the planet opens up a whole new habitat for further study of biodiversity, biotechnological potential and extreme environment adaptation," said Doug Bartlett, the Scripps marine microbiologist who organized the expedition.
(Excerpt) Read more at ouramazingplanet.com ...
If he was trying to induce vomiting, he could’ve just made it sit through his audition tape
Egads, I saw The Black Hole in the movie theater. Thirty years later I’m still seeing those stupid robots that spoke with Slim Pickins and Roddy McDowell’s voices. And the giant erector set in space.
Roughly 1/10th the size of Gene Roddenberry’s ego?
or the kitchen table....
...MEG Hell’s Aquarium...it was a pretty good book.
Um, in your science education, did you learn that an amoeba is a ONE-CELLED creature?
Your finger glued to the post button?
"So, you think you're an individual. Is that it, Private Xenophyophore?"
Sounds a bit like "The Blob".
The original 1958 version scared the crap out of me when I saw it back then. Very little special effects, blood or gore but still very creepy.
Four inches. That's okay then.
Uh, no it's not. The Blob started out at about 4 inches too until it started eating people. Think I'll start stockpiling some CO2 extinguishers. :D
I likely did, yet I never pursued a career where dealing with amoeba was an important part of my daily life.
Why not? That would be a perfect spot for a smelter.
Recent studies indicate that by trapping particles from the water, xenophyophores can concentrate high levels of lead, uranium and mercury and are thus likely resistant to large doses of heavy metals.
I was under the impression that high pressure resulted in high temperature rather than low.
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