An international group of scientists may have discovered more than 100 new species living on seamounts off the coast of Chile.
The recent expedition of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, led by Professor Javier Sellanes of the Universidad Católica del Norte, resulted in the identification of deep-sea corals, glass sponges, sea urchins, amphipods, lobsters and other species probably new to the science.
The team explored seamounts along the Nazca and Salas y Gómez ridges, both within and outside Chile’s jurisdiction, to collect data that could support the designation of an international high seas marine protected area.
The Salas y Gómez Mountain Range is a 2,900 kilometer long underwater mountain range comprising more than 200 seamounts that extend from the coast of Chile to Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island. Most of the ridge exists outside Chilean jurisdiction. Additionally, scientists explored two of Chile’s marine protected areas, the Juan Fernández and Nazca-Desventuradas marine parks.
During the expedition, scientists used an underwater robot, capable of descending to depths of 4,500 meters, to collect data from ten seamounts that will be used to advance Chile’s marine protection efforts.
Different ecosystems
Scientists discovered that each seamount was home to distinct ecosystems, many of which are vulnerable, including thriving deep-sea coral reefs and sponge gardens. Scientists are analyzing the physiology and genetics of specimens they suspect are new to science to confirm whether they are new species.
Experts aboard the ship mapped 52,777 square kilometers of seafloor, resulting in the discovery of four seamounts within Chilean waters. The fourth seamount, the highest mountain at 3,530 meters, was explored for the first time, mapped and unofficially named Solito by the scientific team.
“We far exceeded our hopes on this expedition. “You always hope to find new species in these remote and underexplored areas, but the amount we found, especially for some groups like sponges, is mind-blowing,” Sellanes said in a statement. “These thriving and healthy ecosystems indicate that the Nazca-Desventuradas and Juan Fernández marine parks effectively protect delicate marine habitats.”
A second expedition along the Salas y Gómez Cordillera will begin aboard the research vessel Falkor (also) on February 24. The underwater dives will be streamed live on the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s YouTube channel as scientists explore areas deeper than 600 meters for the first time. Schmidt Ocean Institute will operate in the Southeast Pacific, exploring the waters off Peru and Chile throughout 2024.