Mysterious Marine Life Unveiled
Marine scientists have discovered a collection of alien-looking species lurking on the seafloor, shedding light on one of the Earth’s most mysterious realms. This groundbreaking discovery was made in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean, situated between Mexico and Hawaii.
Unprecedented findings
Researchers from the UK National Oceanography Centre’s SMARTEX mission deployed a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to depths between 3,500 and 5,500 meters (11,480 and 18,045 feet). They discovered a variety of previously unseen marine animals living in the abyssopelagic zone, an area shrouded in permanent darkness.
A new world of species
“These areas are the Earth’s least explored,” said marine ecologist Thomas Dahlgren of the University of Gothenburg. “It’s estimated that only one out of ten animal species living down here has been described by science. This is one of the very few cases where researchers can discover new species and ecosystems similar to the 18th century.”
Among the notable discoveries was a transparent sea cucumber
Most organisms on the abyssal seafloor rely on marine snow, organic matter descending from higher ocean strata, for sustenance. Among the notable discoveries was a transparent sea cucumber, nicknamed ‘unicumber,’ belonging to the Elpidiidae family. “These sea cucumbers were some of the largest animals found on this expedition,” Dahlgren explained. “They act as ocean floor vacuum cleaners, specializing in finding sediment that has passed through the least number of stomachs.”
Other fascinating creatures included a delicate glass sponge, a cup-shaped filter feeder, a tanaid crustacean, sea stars, corals, anemones, and a striking Barbie-pink sea pig.
The explored part of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is used for deep-sea mining, posing a threat to marine habitats. “The lack of food causes individuals to live far apart, but the species richness in the area is surprisingly high,” Dahlgren noted. “We need to know more about this environment to protect the species living here. Today, 30 percent of these marine areas are protected, but we need to ensure this is sufficient to prevent extinction.”
This discovery emphasizes the need for further research and conservation efforts to safeguard these newly discovered species and their unique ecosystem.