Credit: THOMAS DAHLGREN, ADRIAN GLOVER

Two species of bone-devouring worms have been discovered in the cold waters of the Antarctic. Other members of this genus had previously been found only at warmer latitudes.

Scientists led by Thomas Dahlgren at the company Uni Research in Bergen, Norway, found a new species of worm (Osedax antarcticus; pictured) carpeting whale bones that the team had placed on the sea floor. Another Osedax species was found on bones left in shallower water.

Pine and oak planks placed with the bones remained in near-pristine condition, free of the marine invertebrates that usually feed on wood in warmer waters and quickly consume sunken ships. As a result, the researchers suggest that shipwrecks on the cold sea floor will stay remarkably well-preserved.

Proc. R. Soc. B 280, 20131390 (2013)