Evolution Diary

A potentially new species of shrimplike crustacean in the genus Epimeria was found near Elephant Island in Antarctica, scientists announced on Sunday.

The 1-inch-long (2.5-centimeter-long) creature was among nearly a thousand species collected during the first biological survey of a 3,860-square-mile (10,000-square-kilometer) section of the sea that was once covered by thick polar ice.

A 500-billion-ton ice shelf known as Larsen B disintegrated into the Weddell Sea in 2002—seven years after the nearby Larsen A ice shelf broke apart. Experts believe global warming triggered both events.

“The breakup of these ice shelves opened up huge, near pristine portions of the ocean floor, sealed off from above for at least 5,000 years—and possibly up to 12,000 years in the case of Larsen B,” Julian Gutt, a marine ecologist at Germany’s Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research and chief expedition scientist, said in a media release.

“The results of our efforts,” Gutt added, “will advance our ability to predict the future of our biosphere in a changing environment.”

More pictures of new species found

A male Antarctic sea spider bearing its eggs was found in a region of the sea once covered by a giant ice shelf. The sea spider, or pycnogonid, may prove to be a species new to science.

Using a remotely operated vehicle, the expedition team captured images of a variety of sea life near the Larsen zone, including this potentially new species of giant Antarctic barnacle seen off the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Although not documenting a new species, the survey team captured this stunning new image of an Antarctic ice fish surrounded by brittle stars.

As an adaptation to the extreme cold of polar waters, the fish has no red blood cells. This makes its blood more fluid, so that the animal can save energy otherwise needed to pump blood through its body.

An Antarctic octopus called Pareledone turqueti seems to pose for the camera during the latest survey expedition.

Fast-growing gelatinous sea squirts are among the species that appear to have recently moved into the Larsen zone.

Source from National Geographic