The depths of our waters harbor many mysteries yet to be discovered. Sea combs are small translucent globular creatures that drift through our oceans like sea ghosts. Now, a team of ocean scientists from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has discovered a strange new species off the coast of Puerto Rico.
The study, published in the journal Plankton and Benthos Research, describes how these creatures move by pumping eight rows of comb-shaped cilia that refract light and cause a display of color as they pass through the water. They are carnivorous animals that feed on small arthropods and larvae.
The new species has been christened Duobrachium sparksae and was found through the Deep Discoverer, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Using the high-definition images captured by the ROV, scientists on land were able to safely inspect the new creature,
“High-quality video and photography were crucial in describing this new species” because gelatinous animals don’t keep very well. In addition to allowing the scientists to review the minute details of these animals, they were also able to observe some unusual behaviors in the images.
“We’re still not sure of its role in the ecosystem,” says NOAA Fisheries scientist Mike Ford. “We can consider that it fulfills similar functions to other ctenophores near the ocean floor and also has some similarities with other ctenophores in open ocean areas. We saw the species three times in a relatively small area; hopefully that means they are not extremely rare. “
Referencia: Duobrachium sparksae (incertae sedis Ctenophora Tentaculata Cydippida): A new genus and species of benthopelagic ctenophore seen at 3,910 m depth off the coast of Puerto Rico Michael Ford, Nicholas Bezio, Allen Collins DOI: https://doi.org/10.3800/pbr.15.296
