New species of octopus Graneledone sellanesi discovered in the South Pacific after 25 years in museums

Researchers in Chile have revealed a new species of octopus in the southeastern Pacific, a discovery that has been waiting for decades in the collections of various museums. This species, now formally recognized, was found in specimens collected between the 1980s and 1990s.

New Pacific octopus identified after reviewing historical collections

The team from the Andrés Bello University of Chile has expanded the genus Graneledone with this new addition, bringing the total number to 11 species. This revelation underscores that the deep waters of the southern Pacific continue to be an important reservoir of marine biodiversity.

The new species, named Graneledone sellanesi, honors a prominent Chilean marine researcher. The discovery was detailed by María Cecilia Pardo and Christian Ibáñez in the ‘Revista de Ciencias Marinas e Ingeniería’.

It is the first time in 25 years that a new species has been added to the genus Graneledone. This finding highlights the crucial role of the southeastern Pacific as home to a unique and diverse marine fauna.

The discovery was based on specimens preserved in scientific collections from museums in Germany, the USA, New Zealand, and Chile. These specimens, mainly collected in southern Chile, were awaiting their formal classification.

Among the analyzed specimens, at least seven previously unidentified octopuses were located in the National Museum of Natural History of Chile. Another specimen was found in a 2007 catch but remained unclassified until now.

Ibáñez highlighted that the meticulous analysis of these specimens was key to confirming that they were facing a new species of octopus.

The southern Pacific, a bastion of unknown biodiversity

The discovery also highlights unique phenotypic characteristics, such as the warts that vary in number and arrangement on the octopus’s skin. These differences help to understand the uniqueness of this species.

The research, based on the review of historical collections, evidences the importance of reviewing and classifying existing specimens to discover new biodiversity.