Home > Ocean > Oceanography > Abyssal Plain ABYSSAL PLAIN
Here's an example of a bizarre creature that has been seen thriving on the sea floor foraging on fallen whale carcasses - a giant isopod (Bathynomus giganteus, in scientific parlance). These are crustaceans (like crabs and shrimp) that are very closely related to woodlice and pill bugs you see on land. The terrestrial versions can only grow up to 5cm long. These deep sea giants have been found up to 36cm (14in.) long. They are one of several species of deep sea organisms that are inexplicably large. Scientists call this propensity for largeness gigantism and are currently unable to explain why some creatures of the deep grow so much larger than their shallow-water relatives. See what other giants live in the deep -> |
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