Scientists have just discovered animals we have never seen before. They lurk on the bottom of the sea and have a shape that is not at all like creatures on Earth.
In the Clarion-Clipperton Sea in the Pacific Ocean, located between Mexico and Hawaii, scientists have discovered extremely strange creatures. They have completely different lives but live together in the abyss of the deep sea, a place forever immersed in darkness.
This is one of the seas least understood by humans, with an estimated only 1/10 of the animals here known.
A peculiar species of foraminifera found at the bottom of the deep ocean. (Photo: Smartex Project, NERC).
At a certain depth, the ocean becomes extremely unpleasant for humans. Water pressure can crush people, sunlight cannot reach, leaving this water area in eternal darkness. Here, the temperature is only a few degrees Celsius higher than freezing.
However, where humans cannot go, technology can still do it. A team of international researchers from the UK National Oceanography Center used a remotely controlled ship to dive to depths of 3,500 to 5,500 meters in the Clarion-Clipperton waters.
A sea anemone is spreading out to catch food plankton in the sea water. (Photo: Smartex).
Life at this depth is not easy. Organisms here rely primarily on organic matter (plankton) that falls from the ocean layers above, a phenomenon called marine snow. So much of life here largely exists thanks to its ability to distill this meager food supply.
One of the most unexpected discoveries during the expedition was the transparent sea cucumber of the Elpidiidae family.
The transparent sea cucumber was discovered during the expedition. (Photo: Smartex).
The photo above was taken by a remote-controlled submersible, clearly showing the animal’s digestive tract full of food. It also has a long, strangely shaped tail, which helps it swim easily.
A special hole-shaped fish found only in the Clarion-Clipperton waters. (Photo: Smartex).
Other creatures here include a slender goblet shaped like a cup, which is the longest-lived animal known on Earth, living up to 15,000 years. In addition, this sea also has crustaceans shaped like worms, starfish, coral, sea anemones and pink manatees.
The manatee is a species of deep-sea sea cucumber, also in the family Elpidiidae. They are plump, chubby and often pink. They move with their adorable little stubby legs.
Barbie manatee belongs to the genus Amperina, has a particularly vivid pink color and small feet. (Photo: Smartex).
Scientists are trying to learn more about these strange creatures, because life on the ocean floor is extremely diverse and we know almost nothing about this place.
The Clarion-Clipperton waters have been subject to mining, an activity that can devastate deep-sea habitats. According to researchers, currently about 30% of marine areas are protected, but more needs to be determined to know whether this is enough to protect marine life from extinction.