Researchers Uncover Hundreds of New Marine Species in the Underwater Mountain Ecosystems of the Pacific Ocean

[Donkees]

A Chaunacops (a genus of bony fish in the sea toad family Chaunacidae) is seen at a depth of 1388.65 meters on Seamount SF2 inside the Nazca-Desventuradas Marine Park. All images courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute

Stretching thousands of miles off Chile’s coast to Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, the Salas y Gómez Ridge is a vast underwater mountain range in the Pacific Ocean. Seventy-three percent of the region is part of the high seas, which is under international control and vastly underexplored. The Salas y Gómez Ridge is one of the most biologically productive regions in the world, and thanks to researchers with the Schmidt Ocean Institute, we now know more about the life that thrives there.

During a recent 40-day expedition, an international team of scientists discovered that the area is home to 160 species not known to live in the region, 50 of which are thought to be entirely new to researchers. The team primarily studied 10 of the approximately 110 seamounts near the western edge of the ridge closest to Rapa Nui. This expedition follows a similar trip in January to the Nazca Ridge, which connects to the Salas y Gómez Ridge, that revealed approximately 100 new species.

Images gathered from remote-operated vehicles highlight the regions’ wild diversity, spotlighting mollusks, sea stars, glass sponges, sea urchins, and crabs, some of which hadn’t been seen previously. Included are the bright right, spiny Chaunacops that’s part of the sea toad family, the scarcely seen whiplash squid, and a spiky squat lobster hiding among coral.

Because of the findings, the area is under consideration for protected status, although only Chile and Palau have ratified the U.N. treaty to do so. The measure requires 60 countries to formally adopt the agreement.


A spiraling coral documented at 1419 meters deep on Seamount JF1, within the bounds of the Mar de Juan Fernández Multiple Uses Marine Protected Area off the coast of central Chile. Image by ROV SuBastian

https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2024/04/schmidt-ocean-institute/

Apr 9, 2024
During a 40-day research expedition along the Salas y Gómez Ridge, an underwater mountain range that extends from Chile to Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, an international team of scientists observed individual seamounts harboring distinct ecosystems like glass sponge gardens and deep coral reefs. These distinct habitats provide homes for awe-inspiring deep-sea creatures — octopus, squid, fish, corals, mollusks, sea stars, sea urchins, crabs, squat lobsters, and more. Many of these animal sightings could be species new to science or an expansion of the known range. Experts hope their robust findings will advance efforts to establish high-seas protected area designation for this biologically rich region.

[pfitz59]

1. Love this

the ocean is vast. and the accompanying music sweet.

[byronius]

2. Gorgeous.