Zebra stripes evolved to keep biting flies at bay

These bodies of water have been sealed off from the atmosphere for millions of years and so may contain life forms new to science.

The creature - called a supergiant - is a type of amphipod, which are normally around 2-3cm long.

But these beasts, discovered in the Kermadec Trench, were more than 10 times bigger: the largest found measured in at 34cm.

Time and again, organisms have shown themselves to be adept at evolving around seemingly insurmountable obstacles to their spread and survival.

The 'beachcomber express' may have carried our African ancestors to the Indian Ocean and beyond.

Large mammals such as the black rhino (pictured) take longer to evolve than do small mammals.