Hi Janice,
“Blind scorpions” is one proof of evolution. Living for millions of
years in total darkness, eyesight was jettisoned as unnecessary. The
creationist must argue that God specially created blind creatures just
to live in caves.
Dick Fischer
Dick Fischer, Genesis Proclaimed Association
Finding Harmony in Bible, Science, and History
<http://www.genesisproclaimed.org> www.genesisproclaimed.org
-----Original Message-----
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On
Behalf Of Janice Matchett
Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2006 10:48 AM
To: asa@calvin.edu
Subject: Hebrew University researchers uncover eight previously unknown
species
Item of interest to those who haven't seen it yet, but are interested in
the history of ancient bodies of water in the Middle East ~ Janice
Hebrew University
<http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1641160/posts> researchers
uncover eight previously unknown species
EurekAlert! News ^ | May 31, 2006 | Staff
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-05/thuo-hur053106.php
Discovery of eight previously unknown, ancient animal species within "a
new and unique underground ecosystem" in Israel was revealed today by
Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers.
In a press conference on the Mt. Scopus campus of the Hebrew University,
the researchers said the discovery came about when a small opening was
found, leading to a cave extending to a depth of 100 meters beneath the
surface of a quarry in the vicinity of Ramle, between Jerusalem and Tel
Aviv. The quarry is operated by cement manufacturer Nesher Industries.
The cave, which has been dubbed the Ayalon Cave, is "unique in the
world," said Prof. Amos Frumkin of the Hebrew University Department of
Geography. This is due mainly to its isolation from the outside world,
since the cave's surface is situated under a layer of chalk that is
impenetrable to water. The cave, with its branches, extends over some 2½
kilometers, making it Israel's second largest limestone cave. It is to
remain closed to the public to permit further scientific research.
The invertebrate animals found in the cave – four seawater and
freshwater crustaceans and four terrestial species – are related to but
different from other, similar life forms known to scientists. The
species have been sent to biological experts in both Israel and abroad
for further analysis and dating. It is estimated that these species are
millions of years old. Also found in the cave were bacteria that serve
as the basic food source in the ecosystem.
"The eight species found thus far are only the beginning" of what
promises to be "a fantastic biodiversity," said Dr. Hanan Dimentman of
the Hebrew University Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences,
another of the researchers involved in the project. He said that he
expects further exploration to reveal several other unique life forms.
The animals found there were all discovered live, except for a blind
species of scorpion, although Dr. Dimentman is certain that live
scorpions will be discovered in further explorations and also probably
an animal or animals which feed on the scorpions.
The underground cave includes an underground lake, in which the
crustaceans were found. The lake is part of the Yarkon-Taninim aquifer,
one of Israel's two aquifers, yet is different in temperature and
chemical composition from the main waters of the aquifer. The lake's
temperature and salinity indicates that its source is deep underground.
Among the interesting features of the discoveries thus far in the cave
is that two of the crustaceans are seawater species and two others are
of a types found in fresh or brackish water. This can provide insights
into events occurring millions of years ago regarding the history of
ancient bodies of water in the region.
Received on Wed May 31 13:14:05 2006
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