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Deep Sea Mystery Solved: Golden Orb Identified!
24 Apr
Summary
- A mysterious golden orb found miles underwater was identified.
- Scientists determined it is the base of a giant sea anemone.
- The anemone has stinging cells, the largest among cnidarians.
A puzzling golden orb, discovered by researchers in the Gulf of Alaska in 2023, has finally been identified. Found more than two miles deep, the object's unique appearance intrigued scientists. Initially thought to be a simple identification task, the orb required specialized expertise across various scientific disciplines.
Morphological analysis revealed the orb was composed of fibrous material and possessed stinging cells, characteristic of cnidarians like anemones or corals. Further comparison with a specimen collected in 2021, followed by whole-genome sequencing, confirmed the orb was genetically nearly identical to Relicanthus daphneae, a type of sea anemone.
This remarkable find represents the base of a giant sea anemone, an unusual discovery as this part is typically hidden. Scientists are still investigating what happened to the main body of the anemone. The full creature can be massive, with a body up to three feet across and tentacles extending six feet, boasting the largest stinging cells known among cnidarians.
