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Eurythenes plasticus

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Eurythenes plasticus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Amphipoda
Family: Eurytheneidae
Genus: Eurythenes
Species:
E. plasticus
Binomial name
Eurythenes plasticus
Weston, 2020

Eurythenes plasticus is a species of amphipod of the genus Eurythenes, first described in 2020.[1] It was named in reference to the PET plastic found in its stomach,[2] after researchers wanted to highlight the impact of plastic pollution.[3]

Eurythenes plasticus was found at depths between 6,010 m (19,720 ft) and 6,949 m (22,799 ft) deep in the Mariana Trench of the Pacific Ocean in 2014.[4] Researchers from Newcastle University caught four specimens, one of which had plastic particles in its body.[3] The plastic microfibre that was found in its hindgut was 84% similar to PET plastic,[4] showing plastic pollution affects marine organisms even 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) below sea level.

References

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  1. ^ "Researchers discover new amphipod in the Mariana Trench and name it after plastic found in its body". Oceanographic Magazine. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  2. ^ "The new face of the plastics crisis". Newcastle University. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Eurythenes plasticus: A deep-sea crustacean full of plastic". Deutsche Welle. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b Johanna N. J. Weston; Priscilla Carrillo-Barragan; Thomas D. Linley; William D. K. Reid; Alan J. Jamieson (5 March 2020). "New species of Eurythenes from hadal depths of the Mariana Trench, Pacific Ocean (Crustacea: Amphipoda)". Zootaxa. 4748 (1): 163–181. doi:10.11646/ZOOTAXA.4748.1.9. ISSN 1175-5334. PMID 32230092. Wikidata Q87566725.