In Antarctica, scientists have discovered a sensational find

In warm caves of Antarctica, found traces of life.

Researchers continue to explore Antarctica, which keeps a lot of secrets. Here were found samples of ancient ice ages 2.7 million years.

In addition, the study of Antarctic lakes helped to reveal the secret origin of viruses.

A new discovery made by the team from the Australian national University. Her research showed that under the glaciers of Antarctica in warm caves can be inhabited by plants and animals. The work was carried out on the southernmost island of the world – Ross island. It is an active volcano (also the most southern on Earth) called Erebus. And near this volcano under the action of the pair formed an extensive cave system.

According to lead author of the work, Ceridwen Fraser, analysis of soil samples taken in this region showed the presence of DNA of algae, mosses and invertebrates (arthropods, nematodes, oligochaetes). Traces of their presence was found both on the ice and in open areas.

“Inside the cave is really warm – 25 degrees Celsius. You can wear a t-shirt there, and you will be quite comfortable. Next to the cave “mouths” a lot of light, and part of it seeps deep into some caves, causing the top layer of ice becomes very thin,” says Fraser.

A large part of DNA, discovered by her team, belongs to the plants and animals that were previously found in other parts of Antarctica. However, several DNA fragments, the scientists were not familiar with: they simply failed to identify. Experts believe that this DNA could belong to previously unknown animals and plants. Now all the attention will be focused on finding themselves carriers of DNA.

Such a prospect seems quite real, because earlier in the Antarctic volcanic caves were found diverse bacterial and fungal communities. It may well be that more complex forms of life settled in the same cave, adds another author of the work Professor Craig Cary from Waikato University (New Zealand).

The researchers note that Antarctica is rich in volcanoes: only active, there are more than 15 (and constantly found new). It is possible that many of them are in the neighborhood of the same system of ice caves. The biggest surprise was to find the relationship between these cave – then we can talk about the complex ecosystem and biodiversity of the icy continent.

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