• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
'Devious' new species discovered in mysterious 'midnight zone' of the deep sea 13,000 ft below the surface

Home> Science> News

Published 19:57 14 Nov 2024 GMT

'Devious' new species discovered in mysterious 'midnight zone' of the deep sea 13,000 ft below the surface

This unusual 'nudibranch' has stunned scientists

Harry Boulton

Harry Boulton

The deep sea is filled with the unknown, and advanced technologies allow us to discover new species that are either horrifying or beautiful - and often times both.

While many associate the uncharted areas of the ocean - which remains still around 80% - to be the dark depths of the sea, occupying grotesque angler fish, ghostsharks, isopods, and more - but what if there was something perhaps a little more 'friendly'?

Thankfully that has taken the form of a new 'mystery mollusk', found unexpectedly in the ocean's midnight zone - between 3,300ft (1,000m) and 13,100ft (4,000m) - which has baffled scientists since its discovery.

Advert

The translucent nudibranch, now named 'Bathydevius caudactylus', was discovered by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), and they claim that it's unlike anything they've seen before.

MBARI recently encountered the unexpected 'clicking' sounds of sperm whales near the coast of San Francisco, yet this 'sighting' lies much further away, near the depths of the ocean floor.

Bathydevius, like most deep sea creatures, has a translucent body that glows with bioluminescence. It's only about as big as an apple, yet features a large gloopy hood and a feather-like tail.

Due to its translucent nature you are also able to observe the internal organs of the 'mystery mollusk', glowing centrally in a soft-orange color that contrasts the wispy blue/white of its ghost-like form.

Advert

MBARI initially spotted Bathydevius in February 2000 during a deep dive with Tiburon - their remotely controlled camera vehicle.

Amassing over 150 sightings in the past 20 years, the Institute have now been able to gently collect a sample of the creature and take a closer look in the lab, solving the mystery that has plagued them for over two decades.

After determining that this creature is indeed a nudibranch (otherwise referred to as sea slugs or mollusks), the researchers were able to uncover that Bathydevius is the first of its kind to inhabit the deep water column.

While you might think that its translucent form is magnificent enough, the scientists have also managed to capture footage of a stunning visual transformation that occurs when the nudibranch is threatened.

Advert

Bathydevius lights up with star-like lights when threatened (MBARI)
Bathydevius lights up with star-like lights when threatened (MBARI)

It lights up its body, as if filled with a galaxy of stars, and then detaches one of the finger-like aspects of its tail as a projection - likely to distract incoming predators and give itself an opportunity to escape.

MBARI Senior Scientist Steven Haddock described the research group's wonder upon seeing this: "“When we first filmed it glowing with the ROV, everyone in the control room let out a loud ‘Oooooh!’ at the same time. We were all enchanted by the sight."

It goes to show that not only is there so much we have left to explore in the depths of the ocean, but that some of the most fascinating and illuminating - pun intended - discoveries can be found there.

Featured Image Credit: MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute)/YouTube
Science
Discovery

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
6 hours ago
7 hours ago
23 hours ago
  • Chip Somodevilla / Staff via GettyChip Somodevilla / Staff via Getty
    4 hours ago

    Trump announces 'Rocket City' launching in Alabama as he relocates Space Force HQ

    It settles years of debate between Colorado and Alabama

    Science
  • CatLane/Getty ImagesCatLane/Getty Images
    6 hours ago

    Experts reveal the five foods you should absolutely never freeze

    Experts released a warning to urge people not to freeze these foods

    Science
  • HUM Images / Contributor via GettyHUM Images / Contributor via Getty
    7 hours ago

    NASA is looking for volunteers for the first trip to the Moon in over 50 years

    Four astronauts will spend 10 days on a lunar flyby mission

    Science
  • MICROGEN IMAGES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty ImagesMICROGEN IMAGES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images
    23 hours ago

    Archaeologists unearth over a dozen humans buried with hands tied behind backs in bizarre discovery

    The discovery was made in Peru and the humans are thought to date all the way back to 400 BCE

    Science
  • Stonehenge mystery 'solved' after 5,000 years following discovery of mysterious tooth
  • Scientists make deeply saddening discovery at deepest point on earth 35,000 ft below surface
  • How mysterious 1,800-year-old amulet discovered in Germany could change the history of Christianity
  • Unexpected structures found deep below Pacific Ocean could change our understanding of Earth