A team of marine researchers exploring the depths of the Bounty Trough off the coast of South Island, New Zealand, has uncovered 100 new species, according to a report by the New York Times (NYT). Led by marine biologist Alex Rogers, the team of 21 researchers embarked on the expedition in February aboard the vessel Tangaroa, scanning the 800-kilometre-long trench over a three-week period.
The discoveries included dozens of mollusks, three fish, a shrimp, and a predatory squid, with the potential for more findings as the team continues to analyze the 1,800 samples collected from a depth of approximately five kilometers.
Dr. Rogers expressed his anticipation, stating, “I expect that number to increase as we work through more and more of the samples. I think that number is going to be in the hundreds instead of just 100.”
One notable discovery is a star-shaped organism, approximately a centimeter across, which remains unidentified. Dr. Daniel Moore, expedition science manager of Ocean Census, described the expedition as “true exploration,” emphasizing the excitement of venturing into uncharted territory.
The expedition was a collaborative effort involving Ocean Census, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in New Zealand, and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Dr. Michela Mitchell, a taxonomist at the Queensland Museum Network, suggested that the star-shaped organism could potentially be a type of deep-sea coral called octocoral.
With more than two million estimated species living in the oceans, this discovery offers valuable insights into the diverse marine life thriving in the unexplored depths. As scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of the ocean, these findings contribute to a better understanding of undersea ecosystems.
