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The underwater mountain range off Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, is home to “amazing” deep-sea species, at least 50 of which are new to science, researchers report.
Researchers from the Schmidt Oceanographic Institute’s expedition discovered the deepest area of water, about 800 to 1,200 meters (2,600 to 4,000 feet) below the waves in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. photosynthesisDependent animals discovered so far — Leptosaeris, or wrinkle corals as they were already known to science. Other creatures include a jellyfish-like creature known as the Flying Spaghetti Monster (Bathyphysa conifera) and is a luminescent deep-sea dragonfish of the family Tomidae. Both of these creatures, along with more than 100 other species, have been previously described by scientists, but had never been discovered in this region before. The remaining 50 of his specimens have not yet been analyzed but are believed to be newly discovered species.
The expedition followed another Schmidt Oceanographic Research expedition in January. Over 100 newly discovered and suspected species And a huge seamount off the coast of Chile. “The amazing habitats and animal communities we uncovered on these two expeditions are a dramatic example of how little we know about this remote region.” Javier SerranesCo-leader of both expeditions, a professor of marine biology at the Catholic University of Northern Chile, said: statement.
While the January expedition focused primarily on the Nazca and Juan Fernández ridges, the new trip documented marine life on the Salas y Gomez ridge. 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) From Nazca Hills to Rapa Nui.
Related: 10 surprising deep-sea discoveries in 2023
Cerranes and his colleagues spent 40 days traversing the ridge in February and March aboard Schmidt Ocean’s research vessel Falkor. During the expedition, the team investigated 10 of his seamounts. At least 3,300 feet (1,000 m) above the surrounding sea floor. Six of the seamounts have never been recorded by scientific research before, and each seamount had its own unique ecosystem, the statement said.
“Observing different ecosystems on individual seamounts highlights the importance of protecting entire ocean ridges, not just a few seamounts.” Erin E. Eastonsaid in a statement, assistant professor of marine science at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and principal investigator at the Schmidt Ocean Institute. “We hope that the data collected on this expedition will help establish new marine protected areas.”
Researchers surveyed the waters around Rapa Nui with the help of local residents.
“The importance of participating in a marine science expedition to Rapa Nui lies in the opportunity to learn and better understand the marine environment surrounding the island.” marcella hay aravenaHe is a member of the Rapa Nui Marine Council and an observer at the Schmidt Ocean Institute, said in a statement. “Natural resources, unknown marine species, and climate phenomena that directly impact local communities can be discovered through research and exploration.”
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