Scientists investigating the icy waters of Antarctica said Tuesday they have collected several mysterious creatures from 2,000 metres below the ocean's surface, including giant sea spiders and huge worms.
Tunicates, animals that resemble glass tulips, were photographed in Antarctic waters by Australian scientists taking part in a census of marine life in January 2008.
Some of the animals far under the sea grow to unusually large sizes, a phenomenon called gigantism that scientists still do not fully understand.
"Gigantism is very common in Antarctic waters," Martin Riddle, the Australian scientist who led the expedition, said in a statement.
"We have collected huge worms, giant crustaceans and sea spiders the size of dinner plates."
clipped from: www.cbc.ca 