Monday, January 28, 2002

WILMINGTON, NC -- A newly identified crustacean is just one of thousands of marine organisms awaiting discovery in our oceans’ depths said Dr. Robert George, professor of biological sciences at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

George outlined two new genera (plural of genus) and six new species of crustacea in the paper “Desmosomatidae and Nannoniscidae from Bathyal and Abyssal Depths Off North Carolina and Their Evolution” published in the December 2001 Journal of Natural History. Among his finds is the deep-sea isopod Leutziniscus jebamoni, (pronounced Loot-zee-nis-cus Jeb-a-moan-ee) named in honor of UNCW Chancellor James R. Leutze. This recognition was due to the chancellor’s “concern for the health of the environment and his contributions to international understanding,” said George. This lobster-shaped organism, about the size of a pencil eraser, was captured four miles deep in the Hatteras abyssal plain. (Leutziniscus is the biological family of crustacea which George discovered. The species name jebamoni honors George’s mother Jebamoni Roberts.)

Leutze said he was “humbled to be selected for such an honor. I want to congratulate Dr. George on this discovery and commend him for his efforts to protect North Carolina’s deep-sea treasures. We both share a concern for the environment and a commitment to conserve our natural resources.”

“The deep-sea area off of North Carolina is rich in diversity much like that of a tropical rain forest,” said George. “There are probably thousands of species living within a square mile area at or near the ocean floor.”

With 90 percent of the marine life from this area yet to be discovered, George said the thrust of his work would focus on seeking protection for this marine area.

“Greater study is needed to fully understand the commercial implications of this area,” said George. The region includes 30- to 40-foot coral reefs similar to those found off the coast of Norway, George added. “One seldom associates North Carolina and coral reefs. Other states, such as California and Florida, are taking steps to protect their coral reef areas because of their importance to marine life. The time is now for North Carolina to take action to preserve this vital natural resource.”

For more information, contact Dr. George at 910/962-3611. A drawing of Leutziniscus jebamoni is available to download from the Web at www.uncwil.edu/news/releases/january02/crustacean.html.