Spinoloricus cinziae
Spinoloricus cinziae is an animal species described in 2014 in the phylum Loricifera.[1]
Spinoloricus cinziae | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Family: | |
Genus: | |
Species: | S. cinziae |
Binomial name | |
Spinoloricus cinziae Neves, Gambi, Danovaro & Kristensen, 2014 | |
It is the first animal species described that does not require oxygen at any point during its life.[2][3] The species, along with two other newly discovered species, Rugiloricus nov. sp. and Pliciloricus nov. sp., were found in the sediment of the anoxic L'Atalante basin of the Mediterranean Sea.[3]
Electron microscope images show that the species' cellular innards appear to be adapted for a zero-oxygen life. Their mitochondria appear to act as hydrogenosomes, organelles which provide energy in some anaerobic single-celled creatures.[5]
With a visual resemblance to tiny cups with tentacles sticking out, the species has been said to look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book.[5]
At adulthood, this species is characterized by a mouth cone with eight oral ridges, a neck with eight single trichoscalids alternating with seven double trichoscalids, as well as lorical plates with spikes located at the corners.[6] More than 30 species in this group have been described.[6]
References
- Neves, Gambi, Danovaro & Kristensen (2014) Spinoloricus cinziae (Phylum Loricifera), a new species from a hypersaline anoxic deep basin in the Mediterranean Sea. Systematics and Biodiversity, vol. 12, 4, p. 489-502 doi:10.1080/14772000.2014.943820.
- Jackson P. (8 April 2010). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8609246.stm "First oxygen-free animals found". BBC News. accessed 16 April 2010.
- New species 'live without oxygen', The Telegraph, April 9, 2010
- Multicelled Animals May Live Oxygen-Free, U.S. News & World Report, April 12, 2010
- Neves, Ricardo Cardoso; Gambi, Cristina; Danovaro, Roberto; Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg (2014-10-02). "Spinoloricus cinziae (Phylum Loricifera), a new species from a hypersaline anoxic deep basin in the Mediterranean Sea". Systematics and Biodiversity. 12 (4): 489–502. doi:10.1080/14772000.2014.943820. ISSN 1477-2000.