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27 Unknown Species Discovered

Posted by samzenpus on from the how-about-the-cave-hoek dept.

NaijaGuy writes "27 unknown species of spiders, centipedes, scorpion-like creatures and other animals have been discovered in caves beneath national parks in California's Sierra Nevada. The Texas-based Zara Environmental led the 3-year exploration and has published reports with photos of the fascinating critters. "Not only are these animals new to science, but they're adapted to very specific environments -- some of them, to a single room in one cave," said Joel Despain, a cave specialist who helped explore 30 of the 238 known caves in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks."

4 of 40 comments (clear)

  1. *shudder* by Z0mb1eman · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Too many spiders and scorpions... *shudder*

    Anyone know what the ecosystem in those caves (and in caves in general) feeds on? What's at the bottom of the food chain? (since there's no photosynthesis...)

    And no, I didn't have the patience to read TFA carefully, though I did look at all the pictures in the four reports... hence the *shudder* :p

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    1. Re:*shudder* by aphoenix · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Probably fungus is the snack of choice for those lingering near the bottom of the chain. There is flora that thrives in the dark - fungi tend to do so, but any non-photosynthetic flora that enjoys the damp could survive or even start to flourish.

  2. Worlds within worlds. by qualico · · Score: 2, Interesting

    "...they're adapted to very specific environments -- some of them, to a single room in one cave."

    If that is true, then there are far more discoveries on the way.

    Think about every orifice in the Earth.
    Has anyone calculated the possible surface area?

    Worlds within worlds.

  3. A few thoughts by awarlaw · · Score: 2, Interesting

    1. Does the flash of the camera impair the creature?
    2. It seems that life can adapt to ANY non-vaccuum (maybe even there!)
    3. Maybe they evolved recently (within the last few decades). I am starting to think that Darwin's changes happen on an even faster scale than years. I am starting to think maybe changes can happen in a CURRENT generation.

    Just some thoughts

    -AL

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    TIME is the Aether...