Researchers identify mysterious life forms in the extreme deep sea (w/ video)

October 23, 2011

Researchers identify mysterious life forms in the extreme deep sea

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Close-ups of xenophyophores obtained on previous expeditions. Photo credit: Lisa Levin (all except upper right, credit David Checkley)

(PhysOrg.com) -- A summer research expedition organized by scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego has led to the identification of gigantic amoebas at one of the deepest locations on Earth.

During a July 2011 voyage to the Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench, the deepest region on the planet, Scripps researchers and National Geographic engineers deployed untethered free-falling/ascending landers equipped with digital video and lights to search the largely unexplored region. The team documented the deepest known existence of xenophyophores, single-celled animals exclusively found in environments. Xenophyophores are noteworthy for their size, with individual cells often exceeding 10 centimeters (4 inches), their extreme abundance on the seafloor and their role as hosts for a variety of organisms.

The researchers spotted the life forms at depths up to 10,641 meters (6.6 miles) within the Sirena Deep of the Mariana Trench. The previous depth record for xenophyophores was approximately 7,500 meters (4.7 miles) in the New Hebrides Trench, although sightings in the deepest portion of the Mariana Trench have been reported. Scientists say xenophyophores are the largest individual cells in existence. Recent studies indicate that by trapping particles from the water, xenophyophores can concentrate high levels of lead, uranium and mercury and are thus likely highly resistant to large doses of . They also are well suited to a life of darkness, low temperature and high pressure in the deep sea.

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"The research of Scripps Professor Lisa Levin (deep-sea biologist) has demonstrated that these organisms play host to diverse ," said Doug Bartlett, the Scripps marine who organized the Mariana Trench expedition. "Thus the identification of these gigantic cells in one of the deepest on the planet opens up a whole new habitat for further study of biodiversity, biotechnological potential and extreme environment adaptation."

The xenophyophores are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to considerations of the nature and diversity of life at extreme depths. For example, according to Dhugal Lindsay (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, or JAMSTEC), the Dropcam movie also depicts the deepest jellyfish observed to date.

The instruments used to spot the mysterious animals were "Dropcams" developed and used by National Geographic Society Remote Imaging engineers Eric Berkenpas and Graham Wilhelm, participants in the July voyage.

"The 'Dropcams' are versatile autonomous underwater cameras containing an HD camera and lighting inside of a glass bubble," said Berkenpas. "They were created by National Geographic engineers to allow scientists and filmmakers to capture high-quality footage from any depth in the ocean. The devices were baited and used 'camera-traps' to capture imagery of approaching marine life."

Researchers identify mysterious life forms in the extreme deep sea
Enlarge

Scripps ocean engineer Kevin Hardy (right) and marine technician Josh Manger prepare to test Hardy's deep-sea lander at Scripps' Nimitz Marine Facility.

Dropcams utilize a thick-wall glass sphere capable of withstanding more than eight tons per-square-inch pressure at extreme depth.

"Seafloor animals are lured to the camera with bait, a technique first developed by Scripps Professor John Isaacs in the 1960s," said Kevin Hardy, a Scripps ocean engineer and cruise participant. Hardy advanced the ultra-deep glass sphere design used on 'Dropcams' more than a decade ago. "Scripps researchers hope to one day capture and return novel living animals to the laboratory for study in high pressure aquariums that replicate the trench environment."

Also during the expedition, Scripps researchers successfully tested an advanced Deep Ocean Vehicle (DOV) design, using similar spheres to recover microbes and test other advanced system components.

The xenophyophore sightings were positively identified by Scripps' Levin, director of the Scripps Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, and confirmed by Andrew Gooday of the UK National Oceanography Center.

"As one of very few taxa found exclusively in the deep sea, the xenophyophores are emblematic of what the deep sea offers. They are fascinating giants that are highly adapted to extreme conditions but at the same time are very fragile and poorly studied," said Levin. "These and many other structurally important organisms in the deep sea need our stewardship as human activities move to deeper waters."

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Pirouette
Oct 23, 2011

Rank: 3.7 / 5 (6)
This is truly amazing. . .as amazing as finding life in the harsh environments of another planet.
A one-celled amoeba that's 4 inches long. . . .who knew?
PLUS, they are highly resistant to lead, uranium and mercury. . . .guys, I think we've found a new way to clean up nuclear waste.
Bob_B
Oct 23, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
Check with Apple, it may just be their iLife project they lost!?!
Ober
Oct 23, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (8)
Don't mention apple and life in the same sentence or they will try and patent it, and stop all production of life that has two arms and two legs.
0rison
Oct 23, 2011

Rank: 3.3 / 5 (7)
"Scientists say xenophyophores are the largest individual cells in existence."

Does that mean they are larger than ostrich eggs?
Neurons_At_Work
Oct 23, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (3)
"Scientists say xenophyophores are the largest individual cells in existence."

Does that mean they are larger than ostrich eggs?


This is actually a great question. All of the research I've done on the subject appears to confirm your hypothesis. Although there is still some debate on the subject, most biologists seem to agree that the ostrich egg is in fact the world's largest single cell.
Shabs42
Oct 23, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
Actually, only the yolk is the singular cell of an egg. An ostrich egg is about 6 inches long, so these amoebas are probably very similar in size to the yolk of an ostrich egg.
Matthew_Bakos
Oct 24, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
And yet again, the possibility of finding life-forms on other worlds, just inside our Solar system, has increased and continues to do so with every similar discovery. To Europa and Enceladus! Now!
Jayded
Oct 24, 2011

Rank: 3 / 5 (2)
wonder what they taste like. should ship a batch to asia, sure they will find a way to cook it.
plasticpower
Oct 24, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
You would think that they'd use a camera that isn't out of a late 90's cell phone to film it though..
physiophysics
Oct 24, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
actually the real video is 720HD, check it out:

/watch?v=RxUZM-cLtGg
Rank 4.7 /5 (23 votes)
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