First Oxygen-Free Animals Found
Up until now, it was thought impossible for any living and breathing creature to survive without oxygen, but scientists have found the first animals that can survive as well as reproduce without any oxygen at all.
These tiny-sized creatures were found at the bottom of the Mediterranean sea. The scientific team found three new species of this non-oxygen group called Loricifera group. They are called so because the creatures are covered in a thick, protective layer or also known as lorica.
“It is a real mystery how these creatures are able to live without oxygen because until now we thought only bacteria could do this,” said Professor Danovaro, who heads Italy’s Association of Limnology (the study of inland waters).
“We did not think we could find any animal living there. We are talking about extreme conditions – full of salt, with no oxygen.”
The scientists will now continue on their search to find other like species to better understand the wast oceans that surround us.