A research team led by Occidental College has identified a previously unknown symbiosis; deep sea spiders that cultivate and feed on bacteria that oxidize methane.

Three undescribed species of Sericosura sea spiders were discovered to host dense layers of methane- and methanol-consuming microbes on their exoskeletons. The microbes not only thrive there but serve as a dominant primary nutritional source for the spiders.

  • SolarMonkey@slrpnk.net
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    27 days ago

    So how do we get these little friends up out of the deep to eat the methane causing additional climate change and air pollution?

    I’m kidding, that’s really neat :) (unless…?)