NZ Scientists Discover Unique Deep-Sea Relationship
28 Feb 2014
New Zealand scientists from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) have discovered a new crustacean species that may unlock the secrets of the deep sea.
Previously unknown until now, the sand-hopper was found inside another deep sea organism from the Chatham Rise. This is the part of the ocean floor east of New Zealand.
NIWA scientists identified the sand-hopper as an ampiphod species that lived inside another organism known as a bryozoan or moss animal.
Marine biologist Dr Dennis Gordon said the sand-hopper's co-existence with the moss animal may be probably the only example of this kind of relationship in the world.