Bizarre creatures in Antarctica

Scientists investigating the icy waters of Antarctica have revealed they have collected some strange creatures from the waters.

Australian researchers are currently taking part in an international program to take a census of marine lift in the Antarctic ocean up to 6,500 feet below the surface. The main aim of the research is to map marine life in the Antarctic Ocean and to study the impact of climate change on the area.

Resaerchers have found several creatures which have never been seen before. Some of these weird and wonderful creatures include giant sea spiders and huge worms. Some animals that live in the sea do grow to very large sizes, a phenomenon named gigantism which scientists do not yet fully comprehend.

Each of the specimens found were sent to museums and universities around the world for identification, DNS studies and tissue samples. Not all the specimens could be identified and it is believed many are new species.

Scientists have also found other bizarre looking animals such as tunicates, plankton-eating animals that look like thin glass structures around a yard tall, clustered together in large groups, and strange fish with large, odd looking eyes.

The researchers are planning to come back to the area in 10-15 years to see what effects, if any, climate change has had on the environment.

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