Gigantic sea creature lurks at bottom of the oceans

The largest known species of amphipoda is believed to inhabit 59% of the planet’s deepest ocean regions, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Western Australia.

This rare, giant amphipod species was first discovered in the 19th century, and at the time, the largest specimens measured only 34 centimeters. While that might not sound impressive, Dr. Paige Maroni says that’s enormous for this type of creature.

She told Cosmos: “Which is just fantastic when you see them, because amphipods are probably the biggest, baddest predator of the deep sea. Most other deep-sea amphipods max out at about 20 cm, if that.”

Amphipods are small, shrimp-like creatures found across the globe, typically far smaller in size.

A recent study also noted that only 0.0001% of the seafloor has ever been directly observed, and the findings suggest that this giant amphipod species is far more widespread than previously thought.

(QG - Source: The Daily Star  — Picture : © Unsplash)