Oldest Living Organism Seagrass - Australian scientists have discovered the world’s oldest living organisms – seagrass. They inhabit more than 2000 miles ranging from the country of Spain to Cyrus. The scientists studied the DNA of the seagrass and they were able to scientifically prove that some samples are between 12,000 to 200,000 years old and the oldest sample that they encountered is more than 100,000 years old.
The previous record holder of the world’s oldest organism is a plant that is found in Tasmania and it is said to be more than 43,000 years old.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Prof Carlos Duarte, who works at the University of Western Australia said that, “They are continually producing new branches. They spread very slowly and cover a very large area giving them more area to mine resources. They can then store nutrients within their very large branches during bad conditions for growth. The seagrass in the Mediterranean is already in clear decline due to shoreline construction and declining water quality and this decline has been exacerbated by climate change. As the water warms, the organisms move slowly to higher altitudes. The Mediterranean is locked to the north by the European continent.“
He also added that the seagrass is able to survive for such a long time as they reproduce in an asexual way, which is very vital to their very existence.
Source: thaindian
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