Oceanographers have recently found more than 20 new marine species in a recently discovered underwater ecosystem. With the improvements in technology, scientists are now able to conduct a more in depth research and explorations in deep-water. This led to the finding of a new seamount, which is around 900 miles away from the coast of Chile in the Southeastern Pacific region.
This underwater mountain is 1.9 miles long and it supports a deep-sea ecosystem with ancient corals and a sponge garden. This mountain range also led to the discovery of a pristine coral garden which is a 800-square-mile home to rockfish, brittle stars and crabs. This ecosystem is almost untouched by pollution as a result of its location (It is very far away from any coastlines as well as human civilizations.). The region is a high-priority area for international marine protection due to the high biodiversity and geology. The geology is not common and it has some unique physical and chemical characteristics such as different and unusual tectonic plates.
Researchers used a remotely operated vehicle named SuBastian to collect photographs and samples during the exploration process. The newly found species include anemones, urchins, corals, shrimps and also a type of lobster. Additionally, it is believed that the fossilized whale bones that were found during the exploration could lead to some further discoveries. The exploration on the SuBastian produced the first recording of a rare squid called the Promachoteuthis squid, which is a genus so rare that only three species have been described before and were only from dead specimens. Scientists have also captured a rare image of a Casper Octopus.
In the last few years, scientists have been trying to create a detailed map of the sea floor. Until today, around 26% of the ocean floor has been mapped and with every detail found, we learn more about the shape of our planet and how it functions. Findings are crucial to understand the ocean life and the ecosystems as well, since it is the largest animal habitat on Earth; and despite the continious research, it seems that we always have something new to find.
The remarkable diversity is hoped to yield more knowledge on the environment, ecosystems and to fill the gaps in the information we have about under-sea lives.
