Two Dozen New Species Found in Ocean's Least Explored Habitat

Scientists aboard the research vessel Falkor (too) have discovered approximately two dozen new species during an expedition to one of the ocean's least explored habitats, according to the research team.

Exploring the deep unknown

The expedition used remotely operated deep-sea imaging equipment to survey habitats that had previously received little to no scientific attention, researchers said.

Newly documented species include a range of invertebrates and other deep-sea organisms adapted to extreme pressure and total darkness, according to the scientific team.

• Roughly two dozen new species were documented during the expedition
• The research used remotely operated deep-sea imaging technology
• The habitat surveyed had previously received minimal scientific study

A vast unexplored frontier

Researchers noted that vast areas of the deep ocean remain unmapped and unstudied, meaning discoveries of new species are likely to continue as exploration technology improves.

The team said formal species descriptions and classification will take place over the coming months as specimens and imagery are analysed in detail.

Conservation scientists said the findings underscore the importance of protecting deep-sea habitats from mining and other extractive activities before their biodiversity is fully understood.