Posted on 07/03/2003 2:16:40 PM PDT by witnesstothefall
SYDNEY - Hundreds of new underwater species, including sharks and a giant sea spider the size of a dinner plate, have been discovered by scientists in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand.
The month-long expedition collected and photographed specimens at depths of more than two kilometres.
The voyage around Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands was the most complex survey ever conducted in Australian waters.
Researchers from Australia and New Zealand say the expedition has made some extraordinary discoveries.
One creature, the fangtooth, has teeth longer than its head. To avoid piercing the fish's brain when it shuts its mouth, the teeth fit into opposing eye sockets.
Then there's a wonky-eyed jewel squid – its left eye is much larger than the right. Researchers believe the big eye looks out for food, while the small one watches for predators.
These new life forms have adapted to the harsh conditions beneath the ocean where water pressure is hundreds of times greater than at the surface.
In total, 500 species of fish and 1,300 types of invertebrates were discovered, including deep-sea sponges and a prickly shark.
It's expected to take more than a year to classify them all.
The spiders recovered from the icy depths are not related to those found on land. Some have bodies so tiny that their internal organs have been pushed down inside their hollow legs.
A giant fossilized tooth of an extinct shark known as a megalodon was also found, possibly lying undisturbed on the ocean floor for millions of years.
There's a local campus feminist who appears to be a member of this species.
LOL I was thinking I have met a few members of this species in my travels. :o
and it bears a striking resemblance to Susan Estrich.
http://www.megalodonteeth.com/html/megcat.html
Enjoy the 4th of July!
Until these bozos came along. I'm getting of these scientist types harassing the wild life, killing them in the name of science. You see it on TV all the time. All those nature shows with some guy iriitating the snakes and alligators. Leave 'em alone already!
winter down there...Here it's...86F=30C...57% rel...sticky. Snow Storms?...There? Will enjoy, the 4th. :/
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