New Blue Octopus Species Discovered Near the Galápagos Islands
A Tiny Blue Deep-Sea Octopus Near the Galápagos Could Be a New Species
Image: Discover Magazine
A newly identified blue octopus species, Microeledone galapagensis, was discovered at a depth of 5,800 feet near the Galápagos Islands. Researchers utilized CT scans to study the specimen without dissection, marking a significant find in deep-sea biodiversity.
- 01The blue octopus, approximately the size of a golf ball, was first spotted by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) during an expedition in the Pacific Ocean.
- 02Researchers only had one specimen to study, leading them to use CT scans for non-destructive analysis instead of traditional dissection.
- 03This discovery is the first new octopus species officially described by Janet Voight in her four-decade career.
- 04Video footage captured two additional octopuses likely belonging to the same species, indicating a potential population in the area.
- 05The discovery highlights the vast unexplored regions of the deep ocean, particularly around the Galápagos Islands.
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Deep beneath the Pacific Ocean, at a depth of 5,800 feet, researchers discovered a tiny blue octopus, later named Microeledone galapagensis, during an expedition near the Galápagos Islands. The octopus, about the size of a golf ball, was captured by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and later brought to the Charles Darwin Research Station for further study. Due to the rarity of the specimen, researchers opted for non-destructive CT scans instead of dissection to analyze its anatomy. Janet Voight, an octopus expert, led the identification of this species, marking her first official description of a new octopus species in her career. Additionally, video footage recorded two more octopuses that appeared to belong to the same species, suggesting that they might inhabit the surrounding waters. This finding underscores the extensive unexplored territories of the deep ocean, emphasizing the need for further research in these ecosystems.
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The discovery of Microeledone galapagensis contributes to the understanding of marine biodiversity in the Galápagos region.
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