An underwater mountain hosts creatures unknown to science

An underwater mountain chain off Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, hosts an astonishing array of deep-sea species, at least 50 of which are new to science.

- SASCHA PARE

 

About 800 to 1,200 metres below the southeastern Pacific waves, researchers on a Schmidt Ocean Institute expedition found the deepest photosynthesis dependent animal ever found, a Leptoseris, or wrinkle coral, which was already known to science. Other jaw-dropping sights included a jellyfish-like critter known as a flying spaghetti monster and a luminescent deep-sea dragonfish from the family Stomiidae. Both these creatures, along with more than 100 other species, have previously been described by scientists but had never been spotted in this region before. Another 50 specimens, which have yet to be analysed, are thought to be newfound species.