Researchers Discover Previously Unknown Species in Utah’s Great Salt Lake

Scientists knew of only two groups of animals that call the intense salt water of Utah’s Great Salt Lake home—until recently.

A team of researchers has confirmed the existence of at least one previously unknown nematode in the exceptionally salty lake. Meet Diplolaimelloides woaabi—wo’aabi being an Indigenous word for “worm”—a little guy that seems to be endemic to the body of water.

Nematodes, also known as roundworms, are incredibly widespread and abundant unsegmented…