[ad_1]
Researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) identified a new species of ctenophore for the first time in history using only HD images from a drone on the high seas.
The gelatinous marine invertebrate or “ deep water drop ” Duobrachium sparksae was spotted by the Deep Discoverer remotely operated vehicle (ROV) off Puerto Rico in 2015 at a depth of 3,900 meters (approximately 2.5 miles deep).
The drone on the high seas returned eerie images of the strange drop-shaped creature, which is less than a millimeter in length, to scientists on the surface.
Although the dive took place in 2015, the scientists wanted to be absolutely sure before claiming the discovery of a new species and took their time sifting through the images of the expedition.
Typically, the new species classification requires extensive laboratory testing and examination, which is extremely difficult with deep water spots like D. Sparksae because they do not last long outside the crushing depths of the ocean. .
“We don’t have the same microscopes that we would in a lab, but the video can give us enough information to understand the morphology in detail, like the location of their reproductive organs and other aspects,” NOAA marine biologist Allen Collins explained.
D. Sparksae has a balloon-shaped body from which extend two long tentacles which have been observed, in at least one case, anchoring the animal to the seabed, maintaining a constant depth, which may facilitate feeding in the murky underwater trench known as the Guajataca Canyon.
Also on rt.com
A fish with legs? New Zealand experts to identify unknown deep-sea creature
“It moved like a hot air balloon attached to the seabed in two lines, maintaining a specific altitude above the seabed. Whether this is attached to the seabed, we are not sure. We did not observe any direct attachment during the dive, but it appears that the organism touches the seabed, ” said oceanographer Mike Ford.
There are between 100 and 150 known species of ctenophores, aka comb jellies, gooseberries, sea nuts or Venus belts. Despite their odd resemblance, ctenophores are not related to jellyfish, although they are carnivorous, feeding on small arthropods and larvae found in the depths.
Given the extreme environment in which this particular sea drop resides, researchers are unsure of when they might next catch a glimpse of this extraordinary creature.
Also on rt.com
Creature from the deep: a strange marine mammal washed up on an African beach (PHOTOS)
Do you think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
[ad_2]
Source link