Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Scientists Find Ancient Ecosystem In Israeli Cave

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the nature-grey-in-tooth-and-claw dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Israeli scientists said on Wednesday they had discovered a prehistoric ecosystem dating back millions of years. Scientists were called in and soon found eight previously unknown species of crustaceans and invertebrates similar to scorpions. The cave, which Hebrew University Professor Amos Frumkin said is 'unique in the world,' had been sealed off from the outside world since its surface is situated under a layer of chalk that is impenetrable to water."

3 of 105 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Wow by l5rfanboy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I wonder what kind of care and concern will go into the study of these creatures, though of course many I'm sure will be taken back for study. I really wonder however if this will be used in the evolution vs creationism debate.

  2. O2 by Nutria · · Score: 3, Interesting


    Even crustaceans breathe oxygen and expel CO, so what transformed oxygen to O2?

    --
    "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
  3. Re:White scorpions? by Profound · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It would depend on how the eyes were removed. If it was the equivalent of /* createEye() */ then it wouldn't take much to evolve back. If it was a gradual reduction in power until the eye was effectively useless, then it would have to re-evolve all the way back again.