DEEP WORMS The deep ocean accounts
for much of the living space on Planet
earth, but scientists hardly ever visit
there. Given the chance to explore these
regions, researchers uncovered much
that was new, including this species of
acorn worm. Of interest to evolutionary
biologists, these creatures have a pair
of gills like fish do. The worms also have
head ends and tail ends, the beginnings
of a vertebrate-like body plan.
cOUr TeSy Of david Shale
SMALL PLATES a copepod collected from
the depths of the atlantic (considerably
magnified here) plays an important role in
an unsung part of oceanic food webs.
These tiny crustaceans typically graze on
microscopic cells bobbing in the thin soup
of ocean water. in turn, fish larvae or other
(relatively) large creatures feed on the
copepods. The census’s legacy includes an
ambitious, ongoing effort to document the
huge food web of the north atlantic.
© bün TzOw/cOrGOSinhO
BOMBER FAMILY a new species of
polychaete worm was found about
2,800 meters down in the celebes Sea,
south of the Philippines. The worm belongs
to a new family that swims through open
water. flashier family members, nicknamed
“green bombers,” release little globes
if poked by a scientist or, presumably, if
approached by a predator. The globes
explode in a burst of green light that might
dazzle a pursuer for a few vital seconds.
PhOTO by larry Madin/whOi
