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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. Lost World! by Kelson · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Cue renewed speculation on the existence of dinosaurs in other isolated locations. Never mind the fact that you'd need a much bigger ecosystem to support a breeding population of dinosaurs than for a handful of crustaceans, and never mind that they would have evolved into something totally different over million years, just as the species in this cave gave up on eyes.

    Cryptozoologists will probably have fun with this one too. But then, we're far more likely to find a previously-unknown or previously-rumored animal than to find a live dinosaur, identical to those that lived 65+ million years ago.

  2. TERRORISTS! TERRORISTS! by Kesch · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    It could have Al-Queda or something inside. We should shove a few thermobarric bombs in there just to make sure.

    Science-whata-you-say? Screw the science! We have a significant terrorist threat on our hands; no precaution is too much.

    (Btw, what do these new creatures taste like? Are they good with garlic butter?)

    --
    If this signature is witty enough, maybe somebody will like me.
  3. Re:What have they been eating? by schon · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    deep-smoker vent communities

    Hey! Just because you don't agree with their platform, is no reason to insult them!