Researchers from the Australian Antarctic Program Association (AAPP) have discovered Clio, a unique creature that defies the perception of marine fauna: a swimming snail that moves by a fluttering motion similar to that of a butterfly.
Along with this discovery, scientists also reported the sighting of surprising species. Some of them include sea pigs and sea spiders the size of a human hand.
Characteristics of Clio, the marine butterfly
Clio is a transparent snail with a delicate structure, combining white and reddish tones on its body.
Thanks to images shared by the AAPP, it was observed that this species flaps its wings in the water, generating a movement reminiscent of a butterfly’s flight, adapted to the marine environment.
This mechanism allows it to move efficiently in the cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean.
Importance of the discovery
In addition to its particular mode of locomotion, Clio has captured scientific attention because, for the first time, researchers have been able to observe it laying its eggs, opening up new study opportunities.
According to Pimnara “Nia” Riengchan, a doctoral student at the AAPP, the analysis of these eggs will help understand the early development of the species, including the formation of its wings, shell, and veil.
Challenges of the study
One of the main challenges is to determine how long it will take for the eggs to hatch, which requires days of microscopic observation.
Given the perfect preservation of the eggs, the experts hope to obtain valuable information about the biology of this marine butterfly.
Other surprising species from the Antarctic Ocean
The website Live Science highlighted the discovery of:
- Orange sea pigs, with a gelatinous appearance.
- Sea spiders, with their distinct eight legs and an unexpected size.
- Comb jellies, with a transparent and reddish structure, similar to Clio.
These findings reinforce the biological and mysterious richness of Antarctic ecosystems, offering new perspectives on extreme marine life.
Cover photo: Commonwealth of Australia/AAD
