New species of soft corals discovered in Panama

A new species of soft coral has been collected by the DeepSea submarine of the Hannibal Bank Seamount in Panama. Hannibal Bank is a large, under-explored underwater mountain that is part of the Coiba Protected National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The new soft red blood coral or octocoral species has been found in the poorly lit Hannibal Bank reef. The area is located 60 kilometers from the mainland Panama.

The new species named Thesea dalioi belongs to the genus Thesea. The new coral is distinguished from other species of this genus by its physical characteristics such as the thickness of the branches and the distinct red color. The genus Thesea has only one other species in the eastern Pacific called T. variabilis. It is only recently that researchers have explored the depths of the Hannibal bank to find other species.

"After only two expeditions using submersibles up to 300 meters, we identified 17 species of octocorals for Hannibal Bank, including the discovery and description of three new species." Hector M. Guzman, Ecologist of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama STRI), said in a statement.

Reef systems, such as the one where T. dalioi was found, are home to a wide variety of corals, algae and sponges. But they are generally neglected because these reefs are extremely difficult to reach. Researchers also know very little about the processes that determine high levels of biodiversity.

"The present study should serve as a basis for further research on gender and contribute to the diversity and distribution of octocorals in the mesophotic zone of the eastern Pacific Ocean." Study co-author and marine biologist Odalisca Breedy of Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR) of the University of Costa Rica said.

Soft corals are visibly different from other groups of famous corals called hard coral reefs. Hard corals are characterized by their hard skeletons based on calcium. Soft corals, on the other hand, are flexible and look more like plants or trees.

"Medical researchers have identified therapeutic benefits derived from soft and hard corals such as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, bone repair and neurological benefits," said Guzman. "But our ability to contribute to the understanding of soft corals and their habitats depends not only on stable funding for the use of submersibles, but also on the ability to obtain permission to work in Coiba National Park."