This tiny blue octopus from the Galápagos could curl up in your hand and shows how much deep ocean remains unexplored
CT scans let researchers identify the tiny octopus without dissecting the only known specimen, which had 13 eggs in its ovaries, scientists said.
- On Monday, Field Museum researchers officially described Microeledone galapagensis, a new octopus species discovered near the Galápagos Islands during a 2015 deep-sea expedition using high-resolution CT scans.
- Researchers aboard the E/V Nautilus first spotted the creature in 2015 near Darwin Island at about 5,800 feet depth, initially suspecting it belonged to the Thaumelodone genus before further analysis proved otherwise.
- Using non-destructive CT imaging, Field Museum X-ray lab manager Stephanie Smith and curator Janet Voight revealed anatomical differences including a unique single tooth and smooth skin, confirming reclassification into Microeledone.
- Published in the journal Zootaxa, findings illustrate deep-sea biodiversity while Voight noted the discovery reminds us that "extraordinary things" exist in "inky ocean depths" requiring protection from threats.
- Climate change and deep-sea mining threaten such undiscovered species, with an estimated 91% of marine life remaining unknown as oceans absorb more than 90% of greenhouse gas heat.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Unknown deep sea: In the Pacific, researchers encounter a special octopus. The octopus is blue and small like a golf ball.
'Oh, my goodness, it's beautiful': researchers have discovered a fascinating species in the deep sea off the Galapagos Islands. The tiny octopus is blue and has thick arms with 30 suction cups.
Science Daily
ecotopical.comAdorable tiny blue octopus found nearly 6,000 feet beneath the Galápagos
A mysterious little blue octopus discovered nearly 6,000 feet beneath the waters of the Galápagos Islands has officially been identified as a brand-new species. About the size of a golf ball, the tiny creature stunned researchers during a deep-sea expedition when it suddenly appeared on camera, crawling across the ocean floor near an underwater mountain.
It is blue and no bigger than a golf ball: On the ocean floor in the Pacific, researchers encounter a special, small octopus.
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