ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Scientists have discovered a new tiny shrimp-like species in a gypsum cave in southeastern New Mexico, only a few dozen miles from the famous caves at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
Bureau of Land Management cave expert Jim Goodbar says the species of amphipod was previously unknown before being discovered about a month ago during a biological inventory.
It was found in a subterranean pond a couple hundred feet down a cave passage that is no more than 80 feet from the surface.
The new species has not been named, but officials say it has been classified as part of the Parabogidiella (para-bo-GIDDY-ella) genus.
Goodbar says it's not often a new species is discovered. He says there's still not a lot that's known about what's beneath the Earth's surface.
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