A team of scientists from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) managed to identify three new species of snailfish in an abyssal zone of the Monterey Canyon, off the central coast of California.
The discovery was made possible thanks to the use of underwater robotic cameras installed on the vehicle Doc Ricketts. The cameras were operated from the ship Western Flyer during an expedition at 3,268 meters deep.
A discovery that began in 2019: patient science and cutting-edge technology
Morphological and genetic analysis confirmed that they were previously unknown species.
The first clue emerged in 2019, when researchers observed a peculiar pink snailfish swimming near the seabed.
The specimen is an adult female of 9.2 centimeters that was captured and taken to the laboratory. Advanced techniques such as microscopy, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and genetic analysis were applied there. This combination confirmed that it was not any previously recorded species.
The results were published in the journal Ichthyology and Herpetology, officially describing the three new species.
The Liparidae family: gelatinous inhabitants of extreme depths
More than 400 registered species, from coastal pools to abyssal zones of over 8,000 meters.
The snailfish belong to the Liparidae family, characterized by gelatinous bodies, large heads, narrow tails, and in many species, an abdominal suction disk that allows them to adhere to rocks, algae, or even other animals like deep-sea crabs. This family holds the record for the deepest fish found, with records exceeding 8,300 meters below sea level.
The newly identified species: unique morphology and behavior
Each specimen presents specific adaptations to the extreme environment of the ocean floor
- Rough snailfish (scientific name in progress): Pink in color, with a round head, large eyes, wide pectoral fins, and a distinctive skin texture.
- Dark snailfish (Careproctus yanceyi): Entirely black body, horizontal mouth, and rounded head, adapted to lightless environments.
- Smooth snailfish (Paraliparis em): Elongated and laterally compressed body, without a suction disk, with an angular jaw and uniform black coloration.
Abyssal biodiversity: a scientific frontier yet to be explored
Each discovery expands the knowledge about life in extreme conditions.
This finding reaffirms that abyssal ecosystems remain largely unexplored territories, where biodiversity largely remains unknown.
The identification of new species not only enriches marine taxonomy, but also provides key data to understand evolutionary adaptations in environments of high pressure, darkness, and extreme temperatures.
