Ice Age didnt exterminate life in Northern Hemisphere

Scientists at Holar University College and the University of Iceland have discovered two species of groundwater amphipods in Iceland that survived the Ice Age.

Washington, July 20 : Scientists at Holar University College and the University of Iceland have discovered two species of groundwater amphipods in Iceland that survived the Ice Age.

Many scientists believe that the Ice Age exterminated all forms of life on land and in freshwater in large parts of the Northern Hemisphere, especially on ocean islands such as Iceland.

But the discovery of these two species, found solely in Iceland, has now challenged that theory.

"These finding can only be explained by these animals surviving glaciations in some kind of refugium under the glaciers," said Bjarni K. Kristj�nsson, the scientist who found the species.

"Groundwater amphipods are poor at dispersal, and can not be transported with birds or humans. The time since the end of the last glaciation is not enough for a family to evolve," added Jorundur Svavarsson.

Kristjansson and Svavarsson believe it is likely that the amphipod came to Iceland as early as 30-40 million years ago, when the volcanic island was being formed.

"If our theory is right, we have discovered the oldest inhabitants of Iceland, and that can help us further understand how Iceland was formed," said Kristjansson.

The study, "Subglacial refugia in Iceland enabled groundwater amphipods to survive glaciations", appears in the August issue of The American Naturalist.

ANI