World
New marine species discovered
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Source: CCTV.com | 01-19-2009 10:50
Special Report: Tech MaxUS and Australian scientists have uncovered new marine life in deep waters off the Australian state of Tasmania.
In total, the scientists have documented 274 new species. But they also discovered that most reef-forming coral deeper than 42-hundred meters in the area had died recently.
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| US and Australian scientists have uncovered new marine life in deep waters off the Australian state of Tasmania. (CCTV.com) |
The researchers will study samples of the coral to find out the reason. Of the living organisms, there were communities of marine life that have never been described before, including gooseneck barnacles and millions of round, purple-spotted sea anemones.
The scientists also discovered coral more than 10 thousand years old, and plan to study them for clues on ancient climate.
It's hoped the additional research will shed light on when and if coral reefs have existed south of Tasmania over the last several million years.
