Scientists have found a worm-a giant, feeding on hydrogen sulfide
The first time scientists were able to examine a live specimen of a giant ship worm, mollusk, whose existence was known for centuries, but to catch a live representative researchers are only now. He lives in the mud of the Philippine lagoons and feeds produced from rotting fallen trees in them of pairs of hydrogen sulfide.
Information was published in the journal the Proceedings at the National Academy of Sciences.
Thanks to the documentary film of the Filipino scientists found that the shells are in large numbers in the mud of lagoons. There they managed to find a live specimen. The study showed living in a sturdy shell, the worm feeds the bacteria that metabolize released in the rotting lagoons hydrogen sulphide in carbon. His closest “relative”, a ship worm that lives in soft shell and feeds on wood.
Both receive food thanks to the work of bacteria, but interact with different types. Probably this explains the difference in the source of nutrients, scientists say.