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Thread: Pre-historic Ecosystem Found In Israel

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    Pre-historic Ecosystem Found In Israel

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    excerpts from TodayOnline.............

    PRE-HISTORIC ECOSYSTEM FOUND
    ------------------------------------
    JERUSALEM - Israeli scientists said they had discovered a prehistoric
    ecosystem dating back millions of years.

    The discovery was made in a cave extending to a depth of 100m below the
    surface of a rock quarry in the central Israeli city of Ramle.

    Scientists were called in and soon found eight previously unknown species
    of crustaceans and invertebrates similar to scorpions.

    "Until now eight species of animals were found in the cave, all of them
    unknown to science," said Dr Hanan Dimantman, a biologist at the Hebrew
    University of Jerusalem.

    The invertebrate animals found in the cave - four seawater and freshwater
    crustaceans and four terrestrial species - are related but different from
    other similar life forms, he said.

    All the animals were discovered live, except for a blind species of
    scorpion.

    However, Dr Dimentman said he expected a live scorpion and possibly an
    animal or animals, which feed on scorpions, would be found in further
    explorations.

    He added the cave's ecosystem probably dates back around five million
    years when the Mediterranean Sea covered parts of Israel.

    The cave was completely sealed off from the world, including from water
    and nutrients seeping through rock crevices above.

    Scientists believe it has been intact for millions of years.

    "Every species we examined had no eyes which means they lost their sight
    due to evolution," said Dr Dimantman.

    Samples of the animals discovered in the cave were sent for DNA tests
    which found they were unique, he said.

    The cave has been closed off as scientists conduct a more detailed survey.

    "This is a cave of fantastic biodiversity," Dr Dimantman said. - AGENCIEs

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    Boo yah! one for evolution!!

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