8 New Species Discovered in a Sealed off Cave

[Canuckster1127]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/eight- ... 81480.html

Eight new species in ancient cave
Email Print Normal font Large font One of the species.
Photo: Reuters
June 2, 2006

JERUSALEM: Scientists have discovered eight previously unknown species of crustaceans and scorpion-like invertebrates living in an underground cave that has been sealed off for millions of years.

Geologists from Jerusalem's Hebrew University made the discovery at a quarry near Ramla, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. A small opening led to a cave with a lake and a unique ecosystem 100 metres underground.

Biologists discovered white crustaceans resembling shrimps and invertebrates looking like scorpions. There were also bacteria that serve as food.

"So far, eight species were found in the cave, all of them unknown to science," said Hanan Dimentman, a biologist. "Every species examined had no eyes, so they lost their sight due to evolution. Apart from the scorpions, all are alive. But we are sure live scorpions are to be found under boulders."

The organisms were sent for DNA testing and found to be unique. Professor Amos Frumkin described the cave as unique, mainly because of its isolation.

The cave, with a maze of passages that extends 2.5 kilometres, is sealed off from surface water and nutrients by a layer of chalk.

The Guardian