Discovering the 'flying spaghetti monster' and many strange species in the deep sea

An international research team has just discovered more than 50 new species during a deep-sea expedition off the coast of Chile, including the "flying spaghetti monster" and many other strange species.

The expedition took place from February 24 to April 4 in deep waters along the slopes of Salas y Gómez, off the coast of Rapa Nui, Chile.

This strange creature has an unknown name and is temporarily called a galaxy siphonophore - (Photo: Schmidt Ocean Institute).

Participating in the expedition is an international research team of 25 scientists from 14 institutions in 5 countries (Chile, USA, Italy, Spain, Netherlands).

Sponsored by the Schmidt Ocean Institute , the expedition aimed to study the ecology of one of the most unexplored regions: the Salas y Gómez ridge . This is a 2,900km long underwater mountain chain, including more than 200 undersea mountains, stretching from off the coast of Chile to Rapa Nui.

The mountain range is home to one of the most unique and biodiverse marine landscapes on Earth, with extremely high rates of endemism and is home to more than 80 threatened or endangered species.

The team recorded 160 species on the slopes of Salas y Gómez, 50 of which are believed to be completely new to science.

Species observed include squid, fish, coral, molluscs, starfish, glass sponges, sea urchins, crabs and squat lobsters, among many others.

An anglerfish - (Photo: Schmidt Ocean Institute).

At a depth of about 800-1,200m below sea level, the team also discovered a living organism that depends on photosynthesis at the greatest depth ever recorded: a species of Leptoseris, commonly known as a wrinkled coral. .

They also recorded other unusual marine creatures, including a jellyfish-like creature known as the "flying spaghetti monster" (Bathyphysa conifera) , a glowing sea dragon fish in the family Stomiidae, and several other strange species. strange, don't know what it is.

"We have found 50-60 species that are likely new species, this number may increase because we have many specimens to study in the laboratory ," researcher Ariadna Mechó said at a press conference. event within the framework of the United Nations Ocean Decade Conference, taking place in Barcelona (Spain) from April 10 to 12, 2024.

"We also found one of the deepest mesopelagic coral reefs in the world, extending the range of this Polynesian fauna by several hundred kilometers. At this depth, we found sponge beds and coral, these habitats are considered vulnerable and need to be protected ," she added.

An octopus - (Photo: Schmidt Ocean Institute).

New camera technology

During the expedition, engineers tested many new camera technologies, including a hyperspectral and stereo camera system developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute - MBARI.

They hope to scale up these low-cost technologies to better support undersea biodiversity surveys.

This is Schmidt Ocean Institute's second expedition to Salas y Gómez Ridge in 2024. Their first trip to the area took place earlier this year and discovered 100 new species.

Glowing sea dragon fish with large jaws filled with sharp fangs - (Photo: Schmidt Ocean Institute).

Sea stars belong to the genus Coronaster (family Asteriidae) - (Photo: Schmidt Ocean Institute).

A "flying spaghetti monster" (Bathyphysa conifera) - (Photo: Schmidt Ocean Institute).

Chrysogorgia coral and hermit crabs - (Photo: Schmidt Ocean Institute).

A hydroid - (Photo: Schmidt Ocean Institute).