Halicephalobus mephisto: Difference between revisions
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| binomial_authority =(Borgonie & [[Tullis Onstott|Onstott]], 2011)<ref name=nature>{{cite journal|title=Nematoda from the terrestrial deep subsurface of South Africa|first=J. |last=Borgonie |coauthors=García-Moyano, A.; Litthauer, D.; Bert, W.; Bester, A.; van Heerden, E.; Möller, C.; Erasmus, M.; Onstott, T. C. |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |pages=79–82 |doi=10.1038/nature09974 |issue=7349|year=2011|volume=474}}</ref> |
| binomial_authority =(Borgonie & [[Tullis Onstott|Onstott]], 2011)<ref name=nature>{{cite journal|title=Nematoda from the terrestrial deep subsurface of South Africa|first=J. |last=Borgonie |coauthors=García-Moyano, A.; Litthauer, D.; Bert, W.; Bester, A.; van Heerden, E.; Möller, C.; Erasmus, M.; Onstott, T. C. |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |pages=79–82 |doi=10.1038/nature09974 |issue=7349|year=2011|volume=474}}</ref> |
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'''''Halicephalobus mephisto''''' is a species of [[nematode]], or roundworm, discovered in 2011. It was discovered among a number of other roundworms by Gaetan Borgonie and [[Tullis Onstott]] in several gold mines in [[South Africa]] around {{convert|1.3|km|mi|sigfig=1}} under the surface of the Earth. The finding is significant because no other [[multicellular organism]] has ever been discovered further than 2000 meters below the Earth's surface.<ref name=nature/> Onstott said that "it scared the life out of me when I first saw them moving |
'''''Halicephalobus mephisto''''' is a species of [[nematode]], or roundworm, discovered in 2011. It was discovered among a number of other roundworms by Gaetan Borgonie and [[Tullis Onstott]] in several gold mines in [[South Africa]] around {{convert|1.3|km|mi|sigfig=1}} under the surface of the Earth. The finding is significant because no other [[multicellular organism]] has ever been discovered further than 2000 meters below the Earth's surface.<ref name=nature/> Onstott said that "it scared the life out of me when I first saw them moving," and explained that "they look like black little swirly things."<ref name="BBC"/> |
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''Halicephalobus mephisto'' is resistant to high temperatures, it [[Asexual reproduction|reproduces asexually]] and feeds on subterranean bacteria. According to [[radiocarbon dating]], these worms live in ground water that is 3,000–12,000 years old.<ref name=nature/> The worms are also able to survive in waters with extremely low levels of oxygen; lower than 1% of the level of most oceans.<ref name="BBC"/> It is named after [[Mephistopheles]],<ref name="BBC"/> which means "he who loves not the light" and alludes to the fact it is found so deep under the Earth's surface.<ref name="nature"/> |
''Halicephalobus mephisto'' is resistant to high temperatures, it [[Asexual reproduction|reproduces asexually]], and feeds on subterranean bacteria. According to [[radiocarbon dating]], these worms live in ground water that is 3,000–12,000 years old.<ref name=nature/> The worms are also able to survive in waters with extremely low levels of oxygen; lower than 1% of the level of most oceans.<ref name="BBC"/> It is named after [[Mephistopheles]],<ref name="BBC"/> which means "he who loves not the light" and alludes to the fact it is found so deep under the Earth's surface.<ref name="nature"/> |
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It is the "deepest-living animal" ever found, able to withstand heat and crushing pressure,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/06/110601-deepest-worm-earth-devil-science-animals-life/|title=New "Devil Worm" Is Deepest-Living Animal|last=Mosher|first=Dave|date=June 1, 2011|publisher=''[[National Geographic]]''|accessdate=2 June 2011}}</ref> and the first multicellular organism found at deep subsurface levels. Another, previously known species found at similar depths in the same study was ''[[Plectus aquatilis]]''.<ref name="BBC"/> Borgonie said that the worm was similar to the [[Detritivore|detritus feeding]] species found on the surface, and probably descended from surface species. Such species are also able to survive extremes of temperature, and so, for Borgonie, the fact the first animal discovered at this depth was a worm was unsurprising.<ref name="BBC">Carpenter, Jennifer (2 June 2011). "[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13620701 Deepest living land animal found]". [[BBC]]. Accessed 3 June 2011.</ref> The team hypothesised that the species was descended from animals on the surface that were washed down the earth's crust by rainwater.<ref name="BBC"/> |
It is the "deepest-living animal" ever found, able to withstand heat and crushing pressure,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/06/110601-deepest-worm-earth-devil-science-animals-life/|title=New "Devil Worm" Is Deepest-Living Animal|last=Mosher|first=Dave|date=June 1, 2011|publisher=''[[National Geographic]]''|accessdate=2 June 2011}}</ref> and the first multicellular organism found at deep subsurface levels. Another, previously known species found at similar depths in the same study was ''[[Plectus aquatilis]]''.<ref name="BBC"/> Borgonie said that the worm was similar to the [[Detritivore|detritus feeding]] species found on the surface, and probably descended from surface species. Such species are also able to survive extremes of temperature, and so, for Borgonie, the fact the first animal discovered at this depth was a worm was unsurprising.<ref name="BBC">Carpenter, Jennifer (2 June 2011). "[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13620701 Deepest living land animal found]". [[BBC]]. Accessed 3 June 2011.</ref> The team hypothesised that the species was descended from animals on the surface that were washed down the earth's crust by rainwater.<ref name="BBC"/> |
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Revision as of 14:08, 3 June 2011
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Halicephalobus mephisto is a species of nematode, or roundworm, discovered in 2011. It was discovered among a number of other roundworms by Gaetan Borgonie and Tullis Onstott in several gold mines in South Africa around 1.3 kilometres (0.8 mi) under the surface of the Earth. The finding is significant because no other multicellular organism has ever been discovered further than 2000 meters below the Earth's surface.[1] Onstott said that "it scared the life out of me when I first saw them moving," and explained that "they look like black little swirly things."[2]
Halicephalobus mephisto is resistant to high temperatures, it reproduces asexually, and feeds on subterranean bacteria. According to radiocarbon dating, these worms live in ground water that is 3,000–12,000 years old.[1] The worms are also able to survive in waters with extremely low levels of oxygen; lower than 1% of the level of most oceans.[2] It is named after Mephistopheles,[2] which means "he who loves not the light" and alludes to the fact it is found so deep under the Earth's surface.[1]
It is the "deepest-living animal" ever found, able to withstand heat and crushing pressure,[3] and the first multicellular organism found at deep subsurface levels. Another, previously known species found at similar depths in the same study was Plectus aquatilis.[2] Borgonie said that the worm was similar to the detritus feeding species found on the surface, and probably descended from surface species. Such species are also able to survive extremes of temperature, and so, for Borgonie, the fact the first animal discovered at this depth was a worm was unsurprising.[2] The team hypothesised that the species was descended from animals on the surface that were washed down the earth's crust by rainwater.[2]
Halicephalobus mephisto worms measure from 0.52 to 0.56 mm in length. Though species in the genus Halicephalobus have few distinguishing features, H. mephisto can be differentiated from other species within it because of its comparatively long tail, which is between 110 and 130 micrometres in length. It is closely related to H. gingivalis, but more closely related to as of yet unnamed species of the genus.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e Borgonie, J. (2011). "Nematoda from the terrestrial deep subsurface of South Africa". Nature. 474 (7349): 79–82. doi:10.1038/nature09974.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f Carpenter, Jennifer (2 June 2011). "Deepest living land animal found". BBC. Accessed 3 June 2011.
- ^ Mosher, Dave (June 1, 2011). "New "Devil Worm" Is Deepest-Living Animal". National Geographic. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help)
- Kaufman, Marc (June 1, 2011). "Discovery of 'worms from hell' deep beneath Earth's surface raises new questions". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2011-06-01.