{"id":37401,"date":"2024-04-12T11:30:03","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T09:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/6c3e9c7c-299f-4b44-b7a2-b728ef3b6292"},"modified":"2024-04-12T12:35:43","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T10:35:43","slug":"astonishing-deep-sea-galaxy-underwater-mountains-and-coral-gardens-discovered-off-the-coast-of-chile","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/astonishing-deep-sea-galaxy-underwater-mountains-and-coral-gardens-discovered-off-the-coast-of-chile\/","title":{"rendered":"Astonishing deep-sea ‘galaxy’, underwater mountains and coral gardens discovered off the coast of Chile"},"content":{"rendered":"

The deepest photosynthesising coral in the world and 160 species \u2013 at least 50 of which are believed to be new to science \u2013 observed during a deep-sea expedition at Chile\u2019s Salas y G\u00f3mez Ridge. <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Friday, 12 April 2024 at 09:30 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Scientists have spotted the deepest known photosynthesising coral \u2013 a\u00a0Leptoseris<\/em>, also known as a wrinkle coral \u2013 at the\u00a0Salas y G\u00f3mez Ridge<\/a>\u00a0off the coast of Chile. <\/p>

During the same expedition onboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute<\/a>\u2019s R\/V Falkor (too)<\/em>, they also found at least 50 species that might be new to science.\u00a0<\/p>

Journey into the deep: 160 species were observed during the Salas y G\u00f3mez Ridge expedition, including dragon fish, galaxy siphonophores and squat lobsters. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The researchers collected wrinkle corals from three sites: an unnamed seamount (176 metres deep), Pukao seamount (182m) and Motu Motiro Hiva (197m) \u2013 15m deeper than it had previously been found. <\/p>
\u201cBasically, at these depths, the ROV pilots could turn off all ROV lights and still have light to see with the whole environment appearing in different shades of blue to black, especially if they adjusted the camera ISO settings,\u201d says Chief Scientist Dr.\u00a0 Erin E. Easton<\/a>\u00a0of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.<\/p>
The deepest-known photosynthesis-dependent Leptoseris coral, seen on the northern flank of Motu Motiro Hiva, an uninhabited island off the coast of Chile. Credit: ROV SuBastian \/ Schmidt Ocean Institute<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Corals<\/a> are animals that have a mutually beneficial relationship with a type of algae called\u00a0Zooxanthellae. <\/p>
The algae live inside the tissue of the coral polyp for protection and, in return, provide their host with nutrients which they create through photosynthesis \u2013 a bit like if you let a friend stay at your house if they promised to cook you dinner every day (and maybe redecorate: Zooxanthellae\u00a0are also the reason corals are brightly coloured).\u00a0<\/p>
$\"Squat$
A squat lobster in a coral garden located on the southwestern flank of Rapa Nui. Credit: ROV SuBastian \/ Schmidt Ocean Institute<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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The Salas y G\u00f3mez Ridge is not just a haven for these corals but is rich in biodiversity, which can quickly change in just metres. <\/p>
\u201cIt is like driving down a dark street at night, making a turn, and seeing a whole different world,\u201d says Easton.<\/p>
$\"Chaunax$
A chaunax (genus of bony fish in the sea toad family) documented on the southwestern flank of Rapa Nui. Credit: ROV SuBastian \/ Schmidt Ocean Institute<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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During the expedition, scientists observed 160 species \u2013 including squid, fish, corals, molluscs, sea stars, sea urchins, crabs and squat lobsters \u2013 with 50 of those likely to be new to science. <\/p>
The high number of potential new, endemic species might be to do with the isolated nature of the chain of seamounts. \u201cConnectivity among seamounts could be more limited, allowing time for species to evolve in isolation,\u201d explains Easton.\u00a0<\/p>
\u201cThe environmental conditions change notably over its range,\u201d she adds \u2013 the region is high-nutrient and low oxygen in the east and ultra-low nutrients and high oxygen in the west \u2013 \u201cpossibly leading to evolutionary changes and evolution of new species over geologic time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>
$\"Bathyphysa$
A bathyphysa siphonophore spotted during an exploration transect on the southeastern flank of an unexplored seamount located east of Motu Motiro Hiva. Credit: ROV SuBastian \/ Schmidt Ocean Institute<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Gathering data on the many different animals living in this region \u2013 which is also important for migratory species, such as sharks, tuna and whales \u2013 is important in supporting the management and potential expansion of marine protected areas, in particular around Rapa Nui. <\/p>
\u201cDiscovering new species, and so many of them, highlights how much more we have to learn about our oceans and raises so many questions that need answers for effective management and sustainable use of our marine environment,\u201d says Easton.<\/p>
$\"Octopus$
An octopus documented during Dive 674. Credit: ROV SuBastian \/ Schmidt Ocean Institute<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Main image: A galaxy siphonophore observed during Dive 672 along a transect on the northern flank of Motu Motiro Hiva, an uninhabited island along the Salas y G\u00f3mez Ridge. Motu Motiro Hiva is surrounded by the southwesternmost shallow coral reefs of the Polynesian Triangle. The dive started at ~1200 m depth and traveled upslope to ~190 m. The island is located near the western extent of the Salas y G\u00f3mez Ridge off the coast of Chile. Credit: ROV SuBastian \/ Schmidt Ocean Institute<\/em><\/p>
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