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Mushroom-Like Deep Sea Organism May Be New Branch of Life
jones_supa writes: During a scientific cruise in 1986, scientists collected organisms at water depths of 400m and 1,000m on the south-east Australian continental slope, near Tasmania. But the two types of mushroom-shaped organisms were recognized only recently, after sorting of the bulk samples collected during the expedition. A team of scientists at the University of Copenhagen says the tiny organism does not fit into any of the known subdivisions of the animal kingdom. The organisms are described in the academic journal PLOS ONE. The authors of the paper recognise two new species of mushroom-shaped animal: Dendrogramma enigmatica and Dendrogramma discoides. Measuring only a few millimeters in size, the animals consist of a flattened disc and a stalk with a mouth on the end. One way to resolve the question surrounding Dendrogramma's affinities would be to examine its DNA, but new specimens will need to be found. The team's paper calls for researchers around the world to keep an eye out for other examples.
Jim but not as we know it.
Okay
First you cover it in oil. Then lightly toss it in spices, and swallow it whole. Then you discover that it's actually an intestinal parasite.
Have gnu, will travel.
They're mushrooms with mouths! You'll need a +4 magic dagger or level 3 or better fireball spell just to kill them.
And what if these were the last two specimens ?
Then we won't find any more specimens.
First you cover it in oil
Does BP even drill in those parts of the ocean?
This is a reminder that the current taxonomy should be retired and replaced with a DNA-driven scheme. This will happen when the US goes metric and FEMA sends blankets to Hades.
our collected in the 80's deep sea shroom overlords and I for one look forward to getting high by licking them.
by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
From the wikipedia article, it was partially because a return expedition in 1988 failed to turn up any further samples. I think I have an explanation for that, just from the evidence of the original expedition. From the Wikipedia Article "using a sled that was dragged over the sea floor to collect bottom-dwelling animals.". What if their study process wiped out the whole phylum?
SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
Could be a penis.
"Measuring only a few millimeters in size," Did you lose yours?
Jesus was a compassionate social conservative who called individuals to sin no more.
FTA:
What we can say about these organisms is that they do not belong with the bilateria.
When I look at the photos, they seem to have rough bilateral symmetry.