Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Muskan Arora
A team of marine researchers has made a significant discovery in the unexplored waters of Bounty Trough, situated off the coast of New Zealand's South Island.
The expedition, which took place in February, involved 21 researchers who embarked on a three-week voyage aboard the vessel Tangaroa to explore the 800-kilometre-long Bounty Trough.
Among the findings were dozens of mollusks, three fish species, a shrimp, and a predatory squid, according to reports from the New York Times (NYT). Marine biologist Alex Rogers, a leader of the expedition, anticipates the number of new species to exceed 100.
The team collected 1,800 samples from depths of approximately five kilometers during their expedition. They believe that further analysis will reveal even more undiscovered species.
The expedition involved collaboration between organizations such as Ocean Census, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in New Zealand, and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
One of the most intriguing discoveries was a mysterious star-shaped organism, approximately one centimeter across, whose identity remains unknown. Speculation suggests it could be a type of deep-sea coral known as octocoral.
Dr. Daniel Moore, expedition science manager of Ocean Census, described the expedition as true exploration, highlighting the excitement of uncovering previously uncharted territories.
With only 10% of ocean life currently known to researchers, this discovery offers valuable insights into the biodiversity of undersea ecosystems and contributes to a better understanding of marine life.
Researchers are now working diligently to analyze the collected samples and further classify the newly discovered species, shedding light on the mysteries of the deep sea.