GEO : Worms mysterious squid from Sulawesi

Worms mysterious squid from Sulawesi

Scientists recently discovered a mysterious creature in the depths of the waters between Sulawesi and the Philippines. The creature has a body along the 9.4 inches and resembles a worm and squid that scientists call it squidworm squid or worms.

Worms squid has ten tentacles long, burst from his head. In addition, he also has six so-called nuchal organ which allows it to taste and smell something in the water.

Mysterious creature was found by three marine biologists led by Karen Osborn from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California, at the time of exploration in the Celebes Sea at a depth of 2.8 kilometers. Their observations using cruisers controlled remotely. "These animals are very tempting because it is very different from the characteristics of animals that have been described before," Osborn said with enthusiasm.

Worms squid found by the scientists are living at a depth of 100-200 meters above the sea floor. It is known depth range is a region rich in species that have not been identified.

Squid newly discovered worms were given the scientific name Teuthidodrilus samae. The species is said to be not a predator. They eat a mixture of micro marine plants and animals that drowned in the depths.

Celebes Sea where this species is found is a region isolated from the surrounding waters. In addition, the region including in conservation areas that have diverse forms of life and the unique geological history. "When I was exploring the area, I estimate there are more than half the number of animals we see an unidentified species," said Osborn.

Because the properties of squid worm is very different from other life forms, scientists do not just categorize it as a new species, but also a new genus - the taxonomic level above species. The results of this study published in the journal Biology Letters recently.

Text by Yunanto Wiji Utomo / Kompas.com
Simak
Baca secara fonetik