The known history of the bone-eating Osedax worms It began only 12 years ago, when these creatures feeding on the bones of dead animals were discovered in the depths of the sea.
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Their already bizarre and horrific story got even stranger when researchers discovered that female bone-eating worms harbor a veritable harem of tiny males inside their bodies.
Now this complex and fascinating story of the evolution of life is enriched with a new “evolution”. In the study, “Reflection of a male dwarf in bone-eating worms,” ​​published in current biology, A team led by marine biologist Greg Ross of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California-San Diego has revealed an ongoing turning point in the evolutionary history of oceanography. Osidax With their “weirdness” that distinguishes them even more than other known animals.
The female Osidax They live intertwined with other males throughout their lives. The name, newly attributed, is derived from Latin and literally means “bone eaterThese animals, incorrectly defined as worms, because worms have no appearance at all, are very severe very old.
These creatures, sometimes ironically referred to as “zombie worms”, live at a depth of 3,000 meters and are currently at least 30 species. Two new organisms were recently discovered and observed The Gulf Of Mexico And in the waters new Zeland (Two in each).
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Marine biologists wonder how there could be organisms capable of decomposing bones. The answer was found in the fossil skeleton of a century-old Plesiosaur that had holes in the surface. Thus, the discovery of fossils testifies to the existence of these Living creatures of the Cretaceous periodthe last stage of life Mesozoic.
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The number of males of females that circle the Osedax is huge. Biologists still can’t understand how female specimens do this locating corpses Bones that feed on them. The hypothesis, not confirmed, is that the length and width of moles move backgrounds until you meet them.
