Spring Break
Marine biology professor's research reaches new depths
By: Joaquin Villegas
Issue date: 9/14/09 Section: News
The discovery of various new species in the world's longest underwater lava tube by a Texas A&M University at Galveston professor has sparked interest in underwater cave research.
Thomas Iliffe, professor of marine biology and world renowned cave researcher, received help from a team of international researchers at the time he discovered the species in an underwater tunnel in Lanzarote, Canary Islands.
The underground tunnel called the Tunnel de la Atlántida, literally translating to "tunnel to Atlantis," forms part of a larger system of lava tubes created almost 20,000 years ago with a longitude of more than four miles.
"Much of my research involves uses of specialized diving techniques," Iliffe said, "including cave diving using side mounted tanks and closed-circuit rebreathers."
Among the species discovered, two new species of worms and one crustacean were found.
"The small worms we discovered were found in a large, conical mound of white sand," Iliffe said. "We collected several samples of the sand, and when we examined it later, we found these new species."
In honor of their discoverer, one of the worm species was named after Illife. The Sphaerosyllis iliffei is a strange creature that, according to Illife "has no eyes or color and is the first cave-adapted species from the worm family Syllidae."
The other species of worm was named after Cesar Manrique, the local artist that painted the touristic part of the cave that must be travelled to reach the underwater tunnels.
"They likely colonized underwater caves and cracks in older rocks on the island," Illife said, "and invaded the water of the lava tube sometime after its formation 20,000 years ago."
But perhaps the most intriguing of the discoveries is the new species of crustacean, Illife said, which belong to the class of Remipedia, and is believed to be one of the most primitive classes of crustaceans.
Named Speleonectes atlantida, meaning "cave swimmer," the crustacean has fangs filled with poison strong enough to kill shrimp and other small marine animals. The poison, however, is not strong enough to hurt humans.
"It's thought Remipedes could be at least 200 million years old, a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth," Iliffe said.
Illife has discovered more than 250 species of marine animals throughout his research career in underwater caves and tunnels.
Illife's team consisted of leading researchers from Pennsylvania State University, the University of La Laguna in Spain and two institutions from Germany, the University of Hamburg and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover.
"We are particularly grateful to the local Environmental and Touristic Services for allowing us access," said Stefan Koenemann, a University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover researcher.
Junior biology major Cindy Gutierrez said she is inspired by the discovery.
"As someone wanting to go into research, it's intriguing to know there still are many secrets to uncover."
Thomas Iliffe, professor of marine biology and world renowned cave researcher, received help from a team of international researchers at the time he discovered the species in an underwater tunnel in Lanzarote, Canary Islands.
The underground tunnel called the Tunnel de la Atlántida, literally translating to "tunnel to Atlantis," forms part of a larger system of lava tubes created almost 20,000 years ago with a longitude of more than four miles.
"Much of my research involves uses of specialized diving techniques," Iliffe said, "including cave diving using side mounted tanks and closed-circuit rebreathers."
Among the species discovered, two new species of worms and one crustacean were found.
"The small worms we discovered were found in a large, conical mound of white sand," Iliffe said. "We collected several samples of the sand, and when we examined it later, we found these new species."
In honor of their discoverer, one of the worm species was named after Illife. The Sphaerosyllis iliffei is a strange creature that, according to Illife "has no eyes or color and is the first cave-adapted species from the worm family Syllidae."
The other species of worm was named after Cesar Manrique, the local artist that painted the touristic part of the cave that must be travelled to reach the underwater tunnels.
"They likely colonized underwater caves and cracks in older rocks on the island," Illife said, "and invaded the water of the lava tube sometime after its formation 20,000 years ago."
But perhaps the most intriguing of the discoveries is the new species of crustacean, Illife said, which belong to the class of Remipedia, and is believed to be one of the most primitive classes of crustaceans.
Named Speleonectes atlantida, meaning "cave swimmer," the crustacean has fangs filled with poison strong enough to kill shrimp and other small marine animals. The poison, however, is not strong enough to hurt humans.
"It's thought Remipedes could be at least 200 million years old, a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth," Iliffe said.
Illife has discovered more than 250 species of marine animals throughout his research career in underwater caves and tunnels.
Illife's team consisted of leading researchers from Pennsylvania State University, the University of La Laguna in Spain and two institutions from Germany, the University of Hamburg and the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover.
"We are particularly grateful to the local Environmental and Touristic Services for allowing us access," said Stefan Koenemann, a University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover researcher.
Junior biology major Cindy Gutierrez said she is inspired by the discovery.
"As someone wanting to go into research, it's intriguing to know there still are many secrets to uncover."
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