4:00AM Monday Jan 19, 2009
Xavier La Canna

A deep-water ascidian, or carnivorous sea squirt that traps fish. Photo / AP

Bizarre carnivorous sea squirts, large spider-like creatures and an ancient fossilised coral reef have all been found in a voyage into ultra-deep Australian waters.

The scientific examination Chronology of the Tasman Fracture, a 4km-deep crack in the earth’s crust off the coast of Tasmania’s southwest, has led to the discovery of creatures never seen before.

“A thing that was really surprising was the diversity of life down there,” said Dr Ron Thresher from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), who took part in the trip.

Read the full article from The New Zealand Herald.

Filed under: Ali Perkins, News/Current Affairs