Scientists found a microscopic worm that thrives in water saltier than the ocean
Researchers discovered a new species of nematode in California’s Mono Lake that survives arsenic exposure and salt concentrations three times higher than the ocean, redefining the known limits of animal life.
A tiny nematode called Auanema sp. thrives in the harsh, alkaline waters of Mono Lake, where almost no other animals can survive. This microscopic worm is an extremophile, meaning it can tolerate high levels of toxic arsenic and extreme salinity. Scientists found that this species is unique because it has three different sexes and can carry its young inside its body like a mammal to protect them from the environment.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraphs · plus a 2-question quiz