Only one in ten animal species living here has been described by science, says marine ecologist Thomas Dahlgren of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. Others were observed for the first time. “This is one of the rare times when researchers can participate in the discovery of new species and ecosystems as they did in the 18th century. Very exciting”? – says the scientist.

An amazing ecosystem

Below a certain depth, the ocean becomes extremely hostile to humans. The weight of the water creates crushing pressure, sunlight cannot penetrate the water so deeply that it is always dark, and the temperature is so low that it reaches only a few degrees above freezing. However, technology comes to the rescue where people cannot go. An international team of researchers was sent Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to depths of 3,500 to 5,500 meters In the Clarion-Clipperton area.

Life at the bottom of the ocean is not easy. Most bottom-dwelling organisms feed on organic matter raining down from the upper layers of the ocean (a phenomenon known as marine snow) and occasionally abundant prey in the form of dead whales that descend.

It seems that most life on the ocean floor consists of animals that feed on debris and sediments. They learned to survive using this meager food source.

One of the most impressive discoveries made during the expedition was the transparent sea cucumber, nicknamed unicumber, belonging to the family Elpidiidae.

Sea cucumber unicumber / Photo SMARTEX/NHM/NOC

In the image taken with the help of ADU, the overflowing digestive system of the animal after it reaches the sea floor to feed is clearly visible. It also has a long, unusual tail, probably used for swimming.

These sea cucumbers were among the largest animals found during this expedition.
Dahlgren explains.

They act as “vacuum cleaners” of the ocean floor and specialize in finding sediment.

Other creatures include a crustacean tanayid with a long, worm-like body, starfish, coral anemones, and a cup-shaped sponge, which is the longest-lived of any land animal.

Sponge / Photo SMARTEX/NHM/NOC

Filter anemone wide open to capture sea snow / Photo SMARTEX/NHM/NOC

A pink guinea pig named “Barbie” was also found here. Sea pigs (Scotoplanes) are a species of deep-sea sea cucumber also in the family Elpidiidae. They are plump, swollen, often pink in color, and move on small legs.

Barbie’s guinea pig belongs to the genus Amperina. It has a particularly bright shade of pink and has little toes on the tips of its feet.

Guinea Pig Barbie / Photograph SMARTEX/NHM/NOC

Scientists will work to learn more about all these magnificent creatures, but we already know one thing: The diversity of life on the ocean floor needs more attention and more protection.

The Clarion-Clipperton area that scientists studied is used for deep-sea mining, which can have a devastating impact on marine ecosystems.