While sorting through my deep-sea Gulf of Mexico samples this morning I found this freakin’ huge nematode. Isn’t it awesome???? Usually its only the parasitic species that get so big, but this one is a free-living species. I’ll be pretty pissed off if BP has made this one extinct…
Any idea on the genus? in deeper anoxic sediments?
Abyssal gigantism? New species or an aberrant described one?
This was from the deep-sea sites in the Gulf (slightly Southwest of Louisiana’s boot tip, I think). Most likely a known genus but a new species (well, new as in not formally described since most deep-sea nematodes haven’t been)–will send an update when our taxonomist collaborator has looked at this worm!
THAT’S what a nematode looks like?? gosh! I would have thought it was part of a frayed nylon onion bag. I am impressed.
Epic!
where was that actually found?
Any idea on the genus? in deeper anoxic sediments?
Abyssal gigantism? New species or an aberrant described one?
This was from the deep-sea sites in the Gulf (slightly Southwest of Louisiana’s boot tip, I think). Most likely a known genus but a new species (well, new as in not formally described since most deep-sea nematodes haven’t been)–will send an update when our taxonomist collaborator has looked at this worm!
THAT’S what a nematode looks like?? gosh! I would have thought it was part of a frayed nylon onion bag. I am impressed.