Oceanographers found the largest single-celled animals that live in the world at a depth of 10.6 kilometers in the Pacific Ocean. Single-celled animals can be larger than 10 centimeters?
That single-celled animals are Xenophyophore, which only live in the deep sea. This organism can adapt to darkness, low temperatures and high pressures.
Xenophyophore able to absorb a variety of marine particles, including lead, uranium, and mercury. Therefore, this animal is known to be immune to high doses of heavy metals.
"Xenophyophore an amazing giant because it can adapt to extreme conditions but very fragile," said marine researcher in the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, Lisa Levin.
This uniqueness makes Xenophyophore plays an important role in extreme environments. Various multi-celled sea creatures make these cells as a host. Hence the presence of Xenophyophore opens new doors for biodiversity.
According to microbiologist from Scripps, Doug Bartlett, biodiversity has the potential to create technologies that support adaptation to extreme environments.
To find these animals, the experts have to send a special equipment called Dropcam into the depths of Challenger at the Mariana Trench.
They put the bait on the outside Dropcam useful to attract the attention of marine animals.
The findings of experts from the University of California, San Diego, is listed as a record Xenophyophore deepest ever known. The expedition was previously only found this animal from a depth of 7.5 kilometers. *** [PHYSORG | ANTON WILLIAM | KORAN TEMPO 3687]
That single-celled animals are Xenophyophore, which only live in the deep sea. This organism can adapt to darkness, low temperatures and high pressures.
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| Xenophyophores are single cell animals called Protists. As benthic particulate feeders, xenophyophores normally sift through the sediments on the sea floor. and excrete a slimy substance; in locations with a dense population of xenophyophores, such as at the bottoms of oceanic trenches, this slime may cover large areas. Local population densities may be as high as 2,000 individuals per 100 square meters. (Picture from: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/) |
Xenophyophore able to absorb a variety of marine particles, including lead, uranium, and mercury. Therefore, this animal is known to be immune to high doses of heavy metals.
"Xenophyophore an amazing giant because it can adapt to extreme conditions but very fragile," said marine researcher in the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, Lisa Levin.
This uniqueness makes Xenophyophore plays an important role in extreme environments. Various multi-celled sea creatures make these cells as a host. Hence the presence of Xenophyophore opens new doors for biodiversity.
According to microbiologist from Scripps, Doug Bartlett, biodiversity has the potential to create technologies that support adaptation to extreme environments.
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| The Mariana Trench (or Marianas Trench) is the deepest known submarine trench, and the deepest location in the Earth's crust itself. It is located in the floor of the western North Pacific Ocean, to the east and south of the Mariana Islands at 11°21'N 142°12'E, near Guam. (Picture from: http://sreweb.com/) |
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| The Mariana Trench depth. (Picture from: http://fromseremban2melaka.blogspot.com/) |
To find these animals, the experts have to send a special equipment called Dropcam into the depths of Challenger at the Mariana Trench.
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| A high-resolution underwater camera complete with lights embedded in the glass bubble called Dropcam. (Picture from: http://www.treehugger.com/) |
They put the bait on the outside Dropcam useful to attract the attention of marine animals.
The findings of experts from the University of California, San Diego, is listed as a record Xenophyophore deepest ever known. The expedition was previously only found this animal from a depth of 7.5 kilometers. *** [PHYSORG | ANTON WILLIAM | KORAN TEMPO 3687]
