Researchers from the California Academy of Sciences have identified potentially more than 20 new species from deep coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean. This discovery follows the retrieval of 13 autonomous reef monitoring structures (ARMS) that had been deployed in deep coral reefs near Guam since 2018. The ARMS devices were positioned between 180 and 330 feet below the ocean surface.
Discoveries and Identification Process
During a two-week period in November, scientists recovered 2,000 specimens. Initial analysis revealed 100 species previously unrecorded in the region. Luiz Rocha, Ichthyology curator at the California Academy of Sciences and a participant in the diving expedition, stated that genetic analysis is expected to confirm over 20 new species. This process involves sequencing DNA to definitively identify distinct species.
Potential new species may include various forms of marine life such as:
- Crabs
- Sponges
- Ascidians (sea squirts)
- Gorgonian corals
Research Environment
The study focused on the 'upper twilight zone' of the ocean, also known as the mesopelagic zone, which ranges from 180 to 330 feet in depth. This region presents challenges for scientific exploration due to pressure and limited light, requiring specialized diving equipment. One observation noted during the retrieval was a hermit crab inhabiting a clam shell, an unusual occurrence as these crabs typically occupy abandoned snail shells.
Future Expeditions
The research team, led by Rocha, has initiated an additional two-year expedition. This extended effort aims to retrieve 76 more deep reef monitoring devices placed across the Pacific Ocean, including locations in Palau and French Polynesia. The study of deep coral reefs is considered important for understanding marine biodiversity.