MIDDLE EAST: Scientists say they have discovered eight previously unknown species of crustaceans and scorpion-like invertebrates living in an underground cave that has been sealed off for millions of years.
Geologists from Jerusalem's Hebrew university made the discovery at a quarry near Ramla in central Israel. They opened passages to a cave with a lake and a unique ecosystem 100 metres underground. Biologists discovered white crustaceans resembling shrimps and invertebrates looking like scorpions. Also in the cave were bacteria.
"So far eight species were found in the cave, all of them unknown to science," said biologist Hanan Dimantman. "Every species examined had no eyes, so they lost their sight due to evolution. Apart from the scorpions, all are alive. The scorpions are dead but we are sure live scorpions are to be found under boulders." The organisms were sent for DNA testing and found to be unique.
The cave's ecosystem dates to five million years ago, when part of Israel was covered by the Mediterranean.