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Scientists have made a “mind-blowing” discovery of more than 100 previously unknown species inhabiting an underwater mountain near the Chilean coast.
The organisms were discovered at depths of 3,530 meters below the ocean surface, along a 2,900 kilometer ridge known as Salas y Gómez, which runs between Chile and Easter Island.
The Schmidt Ocean Institute reported the discovery of various species, including deep-sea corals, glass sponges, sea urchins, amphipods, and squat lobsters, that had likely never been observed before.
Dr. Javier Sellanes, an expert, stated that our expedition greatly surpassed our expectations. While it is expected to discover new species in these remote and underexplored regions, the quantity we encountered was astonishing, particularly for certain groups such as sponges.
The group utilized a submersible robot that was operated from a distance to investigate the ocean’s inhabitants and chart over 52,000 square kilometers of the ocean floor and peaks.
Long, flattened sea urchins called Dermechinus were observed at a depth of 516 meters on the ridge.
Dr Sellanes stated that the Nazca-Desventuradas and Juan Fernández Marine Parks have been successful in safeguarding fragile marine habitats, as evidenced by the presence of thriving and healthy ecosystems.
The team named the tallest of the four seamounts ‘Solito’, standing at 3,530 meters, during its first exploration.
On Saturday, a second voyage on the ridge commenced on the research vessel Falkor. The scientists will be livestreaming their underwater dives as they investigate depths greater than 600 meters.
The species were discovered in the Salas y Gómez Ridge, located off the coast of Chile.
According to Dr. Jyotika Virmani, Executive Director of Schmidt Ocean Institute, identifying a species completely can be a lengthy process. However, Dr. Sellanas and his team have a vast collection of samples from this stunning and lesser-known area teeming with biodiversity.
The area contains valuable minerals such as cobalt, and corporations are interested in extracting them from the mountain range. However, previous experiments have demonstrated that this type of mining would have a detrimental effect on marine organisms.
A team of scientists recently identified a new type of enormous anaconda in the Amazon region. This species can reach lengths of 7.5 meters and weigh nearly 500 kilograms.
called Retriever Seamount.
A deep-sea fish known as the sea toad was found at a depth of 1389 meters on a submerged mountain called Retriever Seamount.
Previously, there were four types of anacondas identified. The biggest of these is the green anaconda, which can be found in tropical regions of South America including the Amazon, Orinoco, and Esequibo river basins, as well as smaller river systems.
The anacondas, which inhabit the rivers and wetlands of South America, are famous for their quickness and skill in suffocating and consuming prey by wrapping around them and swallowing them whole.
The new species, described in the journal Diversity, diverged from the previously known southern green anaconda about 10 million years ago, differing genetically from it by 5.5 per cent.
Source: independent.co.uk
