2026-09-25 11:33 UTC
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It is a specialized sea cucumber (Amperima) that acts as a deep-sea vacuum cleaner, sifting through the top layer of sediment to feast on "marine snow"—decayed organic material drifting down from the sunlit surface miles above.
The discovery highlights the race against time scientists face: discovering and understanding how this fragile ecosystem functions before human industry reshapes the ocean floor forever.
#MarineLife
#SeaCucumber
Replies (1)
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@appassionato@mastodon.social 2026-09-25 11:37
9/ Ever wondered how such a soft body survives the immense pressure at the depth of 5km? 1. The "No Air" Rule (Zero Pressure Gradient)If you take a balloon down to 5km, it will collapse. If you take a human down, our air-filled lungs and sinuses will crush. But water itself is practically incompressible. Deep-sea creatures like the Barbie Pig have absolutely no gas-filled cavities in their bodies. #science #ocean #pressure