Up until now, it was thought impossible for any living and
breathing creature to survive without oxygen, but scientists
have found the first animals that can survive as well as
reproduce without any oxygen at all. These tiny-sized creatures
were found at the bottom of the Mediterranean sea. The
scientific team found three new species of this non-oxygen group
called Loricifera group. They are called so because the
creatures are covered in a thick, protective layer or also known
as lorica. “It is a real mystery how these creatures are able to
live without oxygen because until now we thought only bacteria
could do this,” said Professor Danovaro, who heads Italy’s
Association of Limnology (the study of inland waters). “We did
not think we could find any animal living there. We are talking
about extreme conditions – full of salt, with no oxygen.” The
scientists will now continue on their search to find other like
species to better understand the wast oceans that surround us.