Results 1 to 1 of 1

Thread: Scientists discover world's oldest creature

  1. #1
    Retired Member United States
    Join Date
    13th September 2013
    Location
    Dixieland - USA
    Posts
    1,030
    Thanks
    642
    Thanked 6,928 Times in 1,027 Posts

    Scientists discover world's oldest creature


    Fishermen haul up vast quantities of molluscs on a regular basis. Image Credit: Ken Hammond / USDA

    A bivalve mollusc that goes by the name of Ming has turned out to be a staggering 507 years old.

    Having survived for centuries through climate change, world wars and natural predators, the oldest living creature would seem to be able to endure almost anything, at least that was until researchers managed to kill while they were trying to determine how old it was.

    The investigative blunder saw the record-breaking mollusc's life come to an abrupt end just as its significance had been realized. Ming was first discovered in Iceland in 2006 and was believed to be 405 years old until a more recent study revealed it to be almost a century older.

    "After the story hit the media, we were contacted by people who were upset that the ocean quahog had been killed. But we had no idea it was that old before it was too late," said researcher Paul Butler.

    The jury is still out on whether Ming really is the oldest living creature, with the distinct possibility that far older molluscs are still out there. By refining the definition of "creature" it is also possible to include the glass sponge, an organism that lives up to 23,000 years, as a potential candidate for the title.


    Source: http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com...ldest-creature
    Full Story: http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/198...tally-kill-it/


    peace...
    skywizard

  2. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to skywizard For This Useful Post:

    Frances (14th November 2013), john parslow (14th November 2013), Spiral (14th November 2013), Wolf Khan (14th November 2013)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •