A recent deep-sea expedition off the coasts of Chile and Peru is revealing the secrets of a vast underwater mountain system \u2014 and making the strongest case yet for greater protections there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Using underwater robots capable of descending more than 4,500 meters (14,760 feet), researchers say they may have discovered more than 100 never-before-seen species living on the Salas y G\u00f3mez and Nazca ridges, which stretch across the southeastern Pacific.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThese findings just blew us away,\u201d said Erin Easton, the expedition\u2019s lead scientist. \u201cIt was almost baffling to discover so many new creatures. In some areas, we were finding species we\u2019d never encountered before every few meters.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The creatures include cactus urchins \u2014 of which there is currently only one known species \u2014 squat lobsters with spiky shells and beady eyes, ancient corals likely dating back thousands of years, translucent \u201cglass\u201d squids and potentially 30 new species of sea sponges, including some unusually colorful ones. The researchers even witnessed a bright red fish using its fins like hands to move across the sea floor. Now, they must analyze the species\u2019 genes before confirming they are in fact new to science.<\/span><\/p>\n The monthlong expedition, led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute \u2014 with funding from Conservation International, the Blue Nature Alliance and Coral Reefs of the High Seas Coalition \u2014 explored 10 seamounts, some for the first time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Salas y G\u00f3mez and Nazca ridges are some of the most unique and biodiverse ocean areas on the planet \u2014 down to the individual seamounts,\u201d Easton said. \u201cEach underwater mountain is like its own ecosystem, hosting distinct creatures that don\u2019t live anywhere else on the planet.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s thanks to rotating currents, which carry cold waters from the south and warm waters from the north \u2014 as well as high levels of nutrients. These conditions have led to species that are highly specialized to thrive on the seamounts. Scientists are just beginning to unravel their mysteries, including why species living in relative proximity on nearby ridges are so distinct.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere is so much we still don\u2019t know about these underwater biodiversity havens,\u201d Easton said. \u201cBut one thing we do know is that what happens on these seamounts is directly connected to the larger ocean ecosystem.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For example, migratory species like tuna, sharks and sea turtles rely on seamount habitats, like coral reefs<\/a>, to lay their eggs and forage for (or avoid becoming) food.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOn this expedition, we saw eggs on almost every species of coral across numerous seamounts,\u201d she said. \u201cThat means some organism, likely a fish, is relying on these corals to reproduce. What would happen if those corals were to disappear \u2014 what cascading effect could that set off?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/ciorg.imgix.net\/images\/default-source\/non-vault-images\/fkt240108-s0638-20240124t174434z-chaunacops.jpg?sfvrsn=1a6ddd46_5?&auto=compress&auto=format&w=800\")
One of the new species spotted is this fish that uses its fins like hands to “walk” on the sea floor.\u00a0\u00a9 Schmidt Ocean Institute<\/h6>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/ciorg.imgix.net\/images\/default-source\/non-vault-images\/fkt240108-s0636-20240121t185841z-spongezoom.jpg?sfvrsn=5b474708_5?&auto=compress&auto=format&w=800\")
The expedition potentially uncovered 30 new sea sponge species.\u00a0\u00a9 Schmidt Ocean Institute<\/h6>\n