Strange new deep-sea fish species have recently been discovered by scientists, offering a glimpse into the mysteries of the ocean’s depths. Despite significant advancements in marine exploration, large parts of the deep ocean remain poorly understood. The discovery of three new species of deep-sea fish, including the bumpy snailfish, sheds light on the hidden biodiversity that thrives in extreme conditions.
According to SciTechDaily, this research highlights the significance of ocean exploration and the value of understanding life in the abyss. The findings, published in the Ichthyology and Herpetology journal, reveal just how much remains to be uncovered in the deep sea.
The Bumpy Snailfish: A New Face of the Abyss
In 2019, MBARI researchers observed a mysterious fish, a bumpy snailfish, gliding just above the seafloor. This fish, which appeared pink and had a bumpy texture, was unlike any species known to science.
It was spotted at a depth of 3,268 meters (10,722 feet) in the Monterey Canyon, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) offshore from California’s central coast. This first encounter with the fish was groundbreaking because it didn’t match any previously documented deep-sea species.
The fish, an adult female measuring just 9.2 cm (about 3.6 inches) in length, was collected for further study. Its distinct characteristics—a round head, large eyes, and textured skin—set it apart from other known deep-sea creatures.
This sighting was the beginning of an exciting scientific journey, and further genetic and morphological analysis confirmed it as a new species, named Careproctus colliculi. As Steven Haddock, MBARI Senior Scientist, remarked,
MBARI seeks to make ocean exploration more accessible by sharing our data and technology with our peers in the science community.
His team’s observation was just one piece of a larger collaboration that would lead to the identification of not one, but three new deep-sea fish species.
How Do These Fish Survive the Deep?
The deep sea is an incredibly harsh environment, characterized by near-freezing temperatures, immense pressure, and complete darkness. Yet, life not only exists but thrives in these extreme conditions. The bumpy snailfish and its relatives have developed some of the most fascinating survival strategies.
The bumpy snailfish belongs to the family Liparidae, a group known for their soft, gelatinous bodies and large heads. These features help the fish withstand the crushing pressures of the deep ocean. Their flexible, loose skin serves as a shock absorber, while specialized fins allow them to move gracefully through the ocean depths.
The bumpy snailfish joins other species of snailfish that possess a suction disk, enabling them to attach to the ocean floor or even hitch a ride on larger creatures like deep-sea crabs.
These adaptations allow deep-sea fish to navigate one of the planet’s most hostile environments. In fact, deep-sea snailfishes, like the bumpy snailfish, are often among the deepest-living fish ever recorded.
The discoveries of these fish are particularly valuable for scientists, as they offer insight into how life can survive extreme conditions—information that could one day be useful for understanding life in outer space or other planets.
The Deep Ocean: A Frontier Still Waiting to Be Explored
While the discovery of the bumpy snailfish is thrilling, it’s just the beginning. The ocean covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface, yet much of it remains unexplored. The deep sea is teeming with life, and scientists believe that many species are still waiting to be discovered.
In addition to the bumpy snailfish, researchers also identified two other new snailfish species: the dark snailfish (Careproctus yanceyi) and the sleek snailfish (Paraliparis em). These species were discovered during an expedition in 2019 using the submersible Alvin, at a depth of approximately 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) off the coast of California.
The dark snailfish has a fully black body and a rounded head, while the sleek snailfish features a long, black body with a compressed shape and an angled jaw. Both species were found at Station M, a research site operated by MBARI, which has become a crucial location for studying the biodiversity of the abyssal ocean.
The use of advanced technologies, such as microscopy and micro-CT scanning, allowed scientists to collect detailed information about the size, shape, and characteristics of these new species. Genetic sequencing further confirmed that these species were distinct from others. This comprehensive approach is vital in ensuring that no detail is overlooked in the study of deep-sea life.
The Need for Continued Exploration
The discoveries made by MBARI and SUNY Geneseo underscore the importance of continued deep-sea exploration. The deep ocean holds an astonishing diversity of life, but we’ve only scratched the surface in understanding it. As Mackenzie Gerringer, Associate Professor at SUNY Geneseo, emphasized,
The deep sea is home to an incredible diversity of organisms and a truly beautiful array of adaptations. Our discovery of not one, but three, new species of snailfishes is a reminder of how much we have yet to learn about life on Earth.
The urgency of this research is underscored by the growing threats posed by climate change, pollution, and human activities like mining. As these challenges continue to impact marine ecosystems, documenting deep-sea biodiversity is more important than ever. The data collected by MBARI and its collaborators will help build a better understanding of ocean health, and may provide essential information for assessing the impact of human activities on these fragile ecosystems.