Some adaptations include bioluminescence to see and a slow-moving lifestyle to conserve energy in these low-prey regions. Many of the creatures are designed to withstand the crushing pressure and colder temperatures at these depths, as well as the lack of light food resources. Related: 8 newly-discovered inhabitants of the deep sea “They aren’t all as spectacular as the faceless fish but there’s a lot of sea fleas and worms and crabs and other things that are totally new and no one has seen them ever before.” “The experts tell me that about a third of all specimens coming on board are new totally new to science,” Dr Tim O’Hara, the expedition’s leader, said. Some images are included below for your viewing pleasure: Nevertheless, it was the faceless fish that grabbed the most attention from the internet after all, how often do you see a fish that doesn’t have a face? Many of the creatures discovered at these depths are likely new animal species and have gone unnoticed for so long. In addition to the faceless fish, the researchers also came across spiky red rock crabs, enormous sea spiders, coffinfish, carnivorous sponges, strange eels, and bioluminescent sea stars, among other things. Deep sea cameras and nets enabled the crew to survey the deep-sea life and learn more about what’s lurking out of sight and out of mind. Using sonar to navigate their way forward as deep as 2.5 miles below the ocean surface, researchers kept their pace. On the other hand, experts involved in the expedition were enthused with the diverse range of wildlife they found there. The scientific voyage, which was given the name Sampling the Abyss by sponsor Museums Victora, originally set out to learn more about the mostly-unexplored parts of the ocean surrounding Australia, as well as to learn more about the effects of climate change and human pollution in the deep sea. “This will assist in its conservation and management and help to protect it from the impacts of climate change, pollution, and other human activity,” he remarked.Scientists exploring the deep sea off of Australia’s Eastern seaboard have discovered a bevy of interesting new sea creatures among them, a faceless fish that hasn't been seen since 1873, which ironically was also its first and only appearance. Working in such an environment was challenging, O’Hara admitted, with each fishing expedition taking up to seven hours to deploy and retrieve the equipment and its eight kilometers of cable from the sea floor, given it is so far down.īut the data gathered was helping to improve the understanding of Australia’s deep-sea habitats, their biodiversity, and the ecological processes that sustain them, O’Hara said. RELATED: Deep-Sea Dragonfish Predators Have a Freakishly Wide Bite Many are jelly-like and spend their lives floating about, while others have ferocious spines and fangs and lie in wait until food comes to them. Life at such depths is one of crushing pressures, no light, little food, and freezing temperatures, with animals that call it home evolving unique ways to survive.Īs food is scarce, they are usually small and move slowly. They also came across an unusual faceless fish, which has only been recorded once before by the pioneering scientific crew of HMS Challenger off Papua New Guinea in 1873. Tim O’Hara from Museums Victoria, who serves as chief scientist on board, told AFP on Wednesday that the search area was “the most unexplored environment on earth.”īright red spiky rock crabs, puffed-up coffinfish, blind sea spiders, and deep sea eels have been collected since the scientists began their voyage - from Launceston in Tasmania north towards the Coral Sea - on May 15. Faceless fish and other weird and wonderful creatures, many of them new species, have been hauled up from the deep waters off Australia during a scientific voyage that has been studying parts of the ocean never explored before.ĭuring a month-long journey off the country’s eastern seaboard, the research vessel Investigator has surveyed life lurking in a dark and cold abyss that plunges 2.5 miles (four kilometers) below the surface, using nets, sonar, and deep-sea cameras.
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