Unique Luminescent Marine Organism Identified in the Depths of the Ocean's 'Midnight Zone'
Unique Luminescent Marine Organism Identified in the Depths of the Ocean's 'Midnight Zone'
A group of scientists has released an extensive description of the marine creature, initially referred to as the "mysterious mollusk," due to its peculiar physique.
The animal's scientific name is Bathydevius caudactylus, and it was initially discovered in 2000 during a dive by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in Monterey Bay, California. Despite its unusual appearance, it took nearly two decades to categorize it within the tree of life. Bruce Robison, a senior scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, described it as "the most comprehensive description of a deep-sea animal ever made."
The scientists published their findings in Deep-Sea Research Part I, following over 150 observations of the creature by MBARI ROVs. They also managed to collect a specimen from the deep sea for further study in a laboratory setting. After examining its anatomy and genetics, they concluded that B. caudactylus belongs to the nudibranch family, commonly known as sea slugs.
This specific nudibranch is the first known to inhabit the deep water column, which ranges from 3,300 to 13,100 feet (1,000 to 4,000 meters) deep. However, its most intriguing feature is its bizarre structure, which took several decades to fully investigate. The creature features a jelly-like hood, a finger-shaped, paddle-like tail, and bioluminescence, glowing as a result. This makes it a unique example of a bioluminescent nudibranch.
The mysterious mollusk brings to mind another equally perplexing creature: the platypus. Western scientists were skeptical when they first encountered the monotreme, believing it to be a hoax. Its body resembles an otter, it has webbed feet, a beaver-like tail, a duck bill, and venomous spurs. If B. caudactylus weren't so alien to our mammalian senses, one might react the same way to it.
"When we first saw it glowing with the ROV, everyone in the control room exclaimed 'Oooooh!' simultaneously," said Steven Haddock, a senior scientist at MBARI, in an official statement.
The scientists found that the creature's bioluminescence originates from glowing particles scattered throughout its hood and tail. The animal occasionally loses one of its glowing, finger-like appendages (or "dactyls") on its tail, which the researchers speculate is a protective tactic against predators. Despite losing these appendages, the animal can regenerate them.
"Only recently have cameras developed the capability to record bioluminescence in high-resolution and in full color," Haddock added. "MBARI is one of a few places in the world that has applied this new technology to the deep ocean, enabling us to study the luminous behavior of deep-sea animals in their natural habitat."
The 5.6-inch-long (14.5-centimeter) invertebrate feeds on crustaceans, sucking them into its funnel-shaped mouth located at the back of its flexible hood. It's also hermaphroditic and spawns on the seafloor, at depths nearly equivalent to nine Empire State Buildings stacked one on top of the other.
The animal's metabolism is slower than that of other known nudibranchs, with respiration rates similar to those observed in deep-sea jellyfish. This reflects its lifestyle in the deep sea, where it moves slowly and often simply drifts with the currents.
Earth's oceans cover approximately 70% of its surface, yet scientists have only mapped about a quarter of the global seafloor. The average depth between the ocean's surface and the seafloor is approximately 12,080 feet (3,682 meters). According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, about 67% of the estimated million species in the ocean remain undiscovered—not to mention the millions of microorganisms living in the ocean's most mysterious depths.
Last month, a team led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute discovered animals living beneath the seafloor, expanding the known limits of life on Earth.
The mysterious mollusk is no longer a mystery to science, but it continues to astound with its diverse morphological features. It serves as a reminder that despite our growing knowledge of Earth, it still has surprises in store.
[Images][Header 1: The Mystery Mollusk: Finally Unveiled][Header 2: The Mysterious Mollusk: A Deep-Sea Phenomenon][Header 3: The Journey to Uncover the Mystery Mollusk][List]- The Mystery Mollusk's Unusual Body + Gelatinous Hood + Fingered, Paddle-like Tail + Bioluminescence- Where the Mystery Mollusk Lives- Mystery Mollusk's Bioluminescence- How the Mystery Mollusk Feeds- The Mystery Mollusk's Metabolism- The Future of Marine Discoveries
[Links][Link 1: New Technology for Deep-Sea Research][Link 2: The Schmidt Ocean Institute's Discoveries]
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The discovery of the mysterious mollusk opens up exciting possibilities for future research in deep-sea technology. With advancements in cameras capable of recording bioluminescence in high resolution, we can delve deeper into the enigmatic world of deep-sea creatures.
Furthermore, the understanding of the mystery mollusk's biology and habitat can significantly contribute to the broader field of science, potentially paving the way for innovative applications in technology and medicine.
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