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Scientists Discover 149 New Species Near Australia
10 Sep
Summary
- Researchers found 149 new species on underwater volcanoes.
- The expedition explored a previously unstudied Indian Ocean area.
- Findings provide baseline data for vulnerable marine ecosystems.
An extensive deep-ocean survey in the Indian Ocean has identified 149 species previously unknown to science. Researchers examining underwater volcanoes near Australia's Christmas Island and Cocos Islands discovered these new organisms, contributing significantly to the understanding of a vast, under-explored region. The expedition, which sampled waters from 308 feet to 17,818 feet deep, aimed to fill critical knowledge gaps about the Indian Ocean seafloor.
The findings, published in June, offer vital baseline data for marine ecosystems that are increasingly imperiled. Threats such as climate change, overfishing, marine heatwaves, and the prospect of deep-sea mining put these unique environments at risk. Seamounts, which act as nutrient-rich oases, can concentrate marine life due to altered currents, benefiting filter feeders.
Beyond new species, the mission also mapped novel geological features, including a caldera dubbed the 'Eye of Sauron.' Notably, a single trawl yielded around 1,000 shark teeth, some dating back over 22 million years to the Megalodon era. The expedition, approved by Australia in 2020, utilized the research vessel RV Investigator to explore these deep waters before the area's designation as marine parks.
