Zoology: 9 Newest Discovered Sea Creatures
I cannot imagine that there is still life under the deepest part of the ocean, here is the list of some newest discovered creature down under the ocean.
Dumbo Octopus
Scientists call this a Dumbo Octopus with fins. Researchers from the Monterrey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) find these creatures close to the bottom of the ocean floor, miles below the surface. They are studying them but have not yet figured out their behavior patterns or biology. The largest specimens are almost five feet tall.
Also called a Dumbo Octopus, this Pokemon-like creature is found at 3 miles deep and is about 8 inches tall. It and others like it have been found sitting on the bottom of the ocean floor with their mantles spread out around them. They sit there quietly for no apparent reason, researchers say.
Crown Jelly
This is a crown jelly found offshore of Monterey Bay at about 3,200 feet below the sea level. At this depth, the seawater is 39 degrees Fahrenheit and contains very little oxygen. The creature uses its tentacles to capture food.
Aequorea
Called aequorea, or crystal jellies, these creatures are found in Monterey Bay but are more common in coastal waters further north. The rim of their bells glows with a green biolumescent protein. The green fluorescent protein (GFP) is collected commercially for use as markers in biomedical research.
Flower Hat Jelly
The flower-hat jelly is a rare find. The tentacles around the rim of its bell quickly coil and uncoil. It sometimes spends its time on the seafloor, which is a good thing since the sting from this jelly is painful. Jellies have no head, heart, brain, bones, or eyes, yet they are among the major predators of the ocean.
Deepstaria Enigmatica
Deepstaria enigmatica always seems to have an isopod living inside it. Isopods are small crustaceous creatures. Not all are parasites. Pill bugs are a form of isopod. Deepstaria are very slow swimmers, and have no tentacles to capture prey. Instead, they simply close their large flexible bells over their food.
Jewel Squid
This jeweled squid is covered with phosphors that it can turn on and off like light bulbs to hide from predators. It can also go dark to sneak up on prey. Many think it looks like a florescent strawberry.
Big Red Jelly
Called the Big Red, this creature resembles a spaceship say scientists at MBRAI. It is a jelly, sort of. Scientists have classified it as a new species and genus. It does not have stinging tentacles like other jellies. Instead, it has long fleshy arms ranging in number from four to seven. It is found at 2,000 to 4,800 feet deep (almost a mile).
Ctenophore
Ctenophore is the Greek word for comb bearers. It got its name from its eight rows of fused cilia arranged along its side. Cilia are small arms that move together to propel the creature through the water. These jellies are predators, but they have no stinging cells. Instead they capture their prey with sticky cells.
