Halomonas titanicae is a species of bacteria which live in the deep-sea. They were named after the shipwreck they were first found on, the wreck of the RMS Titanic.[1][2] Since she sank in 1912, the bacteria have eaten away the steel structure of the liner, leaving their characteristic stalactites. These formations were called rusticles by Robert Ballard who located the wreck of the Titanic, although the stalactites have nothing to do with rust.
References[]
- ↑ Betsy Mason (May 24, 2011). "Top 10 New Species Discovered in 2010". Wired. http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/05/2010-species-gallery/?pid=1290. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ "New species of bacteria found in Titanic 'rusticles'". BBC News. December 6, 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11926932. Retrieved June 7, 2011.