Australian researchers have discovered a large number of new species of invertebrate animals living in underground water, caves and “micro-caverns” amid the harsh conditions of the Australian outback. The national team of 18 researchers discovered 850 new species of invertebrates, including various insects, small crustaceans, spiders, worms and many others. The team, led by Professor Andy Austin (University of Adelaide), Dr Steve Cooper (South Australian Museum) and Dr Bill Humphreys (Western Australian Museum), conducted a comprehensive four-year survey of underground water, caves and micro-caverns across arid and semi-arid Australia. [read more]
[…] There was some big scientific news to come out of the Environment Institute in the past year. If we were to talk about them all it would take more than a single blog but some of the highlights include resurrecting mammoth haemoglobin, Bringing back bits from the dead, which countries are the worst environmental polluters, New study ranks countries on environmental impact and the discovery of 850 new species of invertebrates Australian researchers discover 850 new species. […]