(CNN) — Scientists have discovered a new species of bone-eating worm on the ocean floor in the Gulf of Mexico.
Researchers were actually studying something entirely different when they made the discovery.
They dropped three alligator corpses about a mile deep into the gulf to investigate ocean carbon supply.
The new species of worm was seen crawling on an alligator corpse - devouring its soft tissue in under two months.
The worm, which has yet to be named, is the first of its kind found in the Gulf of Mexico.
The study was published in the Science Journal "Plos One" in late December.
