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Published online 29 July 2004 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news040726-10
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Bone-devouring worms discovered
Deep-sea species may have completely new form of metabolism.
Two worm species discovered in the dark recesses of the deep sea could rival the macabre beasts of your childhood nightmares. Scientists have named a new genus, Osedax, which is Latin for "bone devourer", for worms that thrive by excavating the bones of fallen whale carcasses.
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