Scientists from the BOREA Biology of Aquatic Organisms and
Ecosystems research unit (CNRS / MNHN / IRD / UPMC / University of Caen / Université des Antilles)-- together with a colleague from the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg, Germany — have shown that Parisian street gutters are oases of microscopic life, home to microalgae, fungi, sponges, and mollusks [1].