A recent expedition into the abysses of the Pacific Ocean has revealed surprising creatures and unexpected biodiversity in one of the least explored regions of our planet.
This transparent-bodied sea cucumber belongs to the Elpidiidae family and is called "unicumber." You can clearly see its intestines and know that it has eaten sediments.
Photo: SMARTEX/NHM/CNO
A 45-day expedition conducted in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone between Mexico and Hawaii led to the discovery of creatures as unknown as they are fascinating. Thomas Dahlgren, a marine ecologist from the University of Gothenburg, explains that these discoveries are crucial for understanding these unique ecosystems. According to him, barely 10% of the animal species at these depths are described by science.
The abyssal depths, ranging from 11,500 to 18,000 feet (3,500 to 5,500 meters), cover a large part of the Earth's surface but remain poorly understood. The low amount of available food forces deep-sea creatures to adapt uniquely. They feed on marine snow, the organic debris falling from the more productive upper layers.
Sea anemones capture small animals drifting along the bottom. This species belongs to the order Actiniaria.
Photo: SMARTEX/NHM/CNO Among the discoveries are cup-shaped glass sponges, which can live up to 15,000 years, and pink sea pigs from the genus
Amperima. These creatures move slowly to find nutrient-rich sediments. Sea pigs/sea cucumbers play a crucial role in cleaning the seabed.
Mining projects in this region pose a threat to this fragile ecosystem. Rare metals, essential for green technologies, are present in mineral nodules scattered on the seafloor. Scientists strive to understand the potential impact of this mining on biodiversity and the ecosystem.
One of the species discovered during the expedition was this pink sea pig, or "Barbie Sea Pig," as it is called in English. It gets its name from its pink color and small legs.
Photo: SMARTEX/NHM/CNO
The mission aimed to map the biodiversity of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone and assess the risks to local species. Dahlgren emphasizes the importance of this research for species protection, noting that 30% of these zones are currently protected. However, it remains to be determined whether these measures are sufficient to ensure the survival of the discovered species.