Explorers Uncover 100 Undiscovered Deep-Sea Species, Revealing a Mysterious Creature
Explorers have unveiled approximately 100 potential new deep-sea species, uncovering a mysterious creature among their discoveries during a recent expedition near the shores of New Zealand.
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A team of marine researchers, on a quest to uncover the hidden life in the world's oceans, recently announced their discovery of around 100 potential new species. Among them is a mysterious starlike creature.
The scientists embarked on a three-week expedition aboard the research vessel Tangaroa, owned by New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. Their focus was on the little-explored Bounty Trough, a 500-mile (800-kilometer) long stretch of ocean off the coast of New Zealand, east of South Island. This voyage took place in February.
Two mystery specimens could be a new species of octocoral or a whole other new group entirely, according to Dr. Michela Mitchell, a taxonomist at the Queensland Museum Network.
Dr. Michela Mitchell, a taxonomist at the Queensland Museum Network, believes that two mystery specimens could potentially be a new species of octocoral or even a completely different group altogether.
The team gathered nearly 1,800 samples from depths reaching 3 miles (4,800 meters) below the surface. They discovered various species of fish, squid, mollusk, and coral that are believed to be previously unknown to science.
Dr. Daniel Moore, the expedition science manager of Ocean Census, a recent alliance established in April 2023, expressed, “You’ve got this vast area off the east coast of New Zealand where there’s a lack of data points. We have very limited knowledge about it. It was a true exploration, and it was incredibly thrilling.” The alliance's goal is to identify 100,000 unknown species within the next decade.
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For the next three weeks, a group of scientists will be examining and identifying the deep-sea discoveries to determine if they are new species.
The scientists on the team have been intrigued by a particular discovery that they initially believed to be either a sea star or a sea anemone.
“It is still a mystery. We can’t even describe it to family. We don’t know where it is in the tree (of life) as of yet, so that’ll be interesting,” Moore said.
Two eelpouts that could be new to science were captured in a fish trap set 1.7 miles (2,700 meters) below the ocean's surface at the Bounty Trough.
Two eelpouts that could be new to science were captured in a fish trap set 1.7 miles (2,700 meters) below the ocean's surface at the Bounty Trough.
Rebekah Pars/Ocean Census/NIWA
Dr. Michela Mitchell, a taxonomist at the Queensland Museum Network, suggested that the mysterious coral discovered by Ocean Census could possibly belong to the octocoral family.
In a statement, Dr. Mitchell expressed her excitement about the possibility of the coral being a completely new group that is different from octocorals. She mentioned that if this is indeed the case, it would be a groundbreaking discovery for the deep sea, providing valuable insights into the planet's diverse biodiversity.
Researchers search and sort a sample collected from the ocean floor on board the research vessel Tangaroa.
Researchers search and sort a sample collected from the ocean floor on board the research vessel Tangaroa.
Rebekah Pars/Ocean Census/NIWA
Moore said he was surprised that the team found a new species of fish known as an eelpout that was “instantly recognized as being different to the others.”
"Discovering new vertebrates is not common. There are hundreds of thousands of invertebrates in the ocean that remain unknown to us. When it comes to vertebrates, we may believe that we have a good understanding of what species exist, but the truth is, there is still so much more to learn," he explained.
The researchers provisionally assigned a potential new genus of black coral to the family Stylopathidae.
The researchers provisionally assigned a potential new genus of black coral to the family Stylopathidae.
Rebekah Pars/Ocean Census/NIWA
To collect samples, the vessel used three different types of sleds depending on the terrain. This included a traditional beam trawl for collecting samples in the net, a heavy-duty seamount sled for rocky surfaces, and another device for sampling the water just above the seafloor. Additionally, they used a towed underwater camera.
There are still significant gaps in scientific knowledge about the depths of the ocean. Out of the 2.2 million species believed to exist in Earth's oceans, only 240,000 have been described by scientists, according to Ocean Census.
Editor's P/S:
The discovery of potential new species in the ocean's depths is a testament to the vastness and mystery that still surrounds our planet. The expedition to the Bounty Trough has shed light on the incredible biodiversity that exists in these unexplored regions, highlighting the importance of continued research and exploration.
The mysterious starlike creature, in particular, has sparked intrigue and excitement among scientists. Its unique appearance and unknown classification suggest that it may represent a completely new group of organisms. If confirmed, this discovery would significantly expand our understanding of deep-sea ecosystems and the diversity of life on Earth. The ongoing examination and identification of the collected samples hold the promise of further groundbreaking revelations, deepening our knowledge of the ocean's hidden wonders. oceans, ensuring that future generations can continue to unravel its secrets and appreciate its wonders.
