New Alien-Like Sea Creature Discovered in the Ocean

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20 Aug 2023

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Have you ever wondered what kind of creatures live in the deep, dark waters of the ocean? Well, you might be surprised to find out that some of them look like they came from another planet!

Source: BGR.com

Scientists have recently discovered a new species of sea creature that has 20 arms and a strawberry-like head. This bizarre animal is called the Antarctic strawberry feather star, and it belongs to a group of animals called crinoids.

What are crinoids?

Crinoids are a type of marine invertebrate that have been around for hundreds of millions of years. They are related to starfish, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers, but they have their own unique features. Crinoids have a central body with a mouth and anus on the upper side, and a ring of arms that radiate from it.

The arms are covered with tiny hair-like structures called pinnules, which help them catch plankton and other food particles from the water. Some crinoids also have long appendages called cirri, which they use to attach themselves to rocks or other surfaces.

Source: Vivid Crinoids

There are two main types of crinoids: sea lilies and feather stars. Sea lilies have a stalk that connects their body to the seafloor, while feather stars can detach their stalk and swim freely using their arms. Feather stars can also crawl along the bottom using their cirri, or curl up into a ball for protection.

How was the new species discovered?

The new species, named Promachocrinus fragarius, was discovered by a team of researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, the Australian Museum, and the Western Australian Museum. They collected samples of crinoids from different locations in the Antarctic Ocean, using nets and underwater robots. They then analyzed their DNA and morphology (shape and structure) to identify them.

The researchers found that there were actually eight different species of feather stars in the Antarctic Ocean, four of which were new to science. The other four had been previously collected but not named or described. The researchers published their findings in July 2023 in the journal Invertebrate Systematics.

The Antarctic strawberry feather star is one of the most striking species among the eight. It has about 20 arms that can reach up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) long, and a reddish-pink body with a knob-like projection on top. The knob resembles a strawberry, hence the name. The feather star also has cirri that are about 4 inches (10 centimeters) long, with small claws at the end.

The researchers think that the Antarctic strawberry feather star lives in deep waters, between 330 and 3,300 feet (100 and 1,000 meters) below the surface. They also think that it feeds on plankton and organic matter that falls from above.

Why is this discovery important?

The discovery of the new species adds to our knowledge of the diversity and evolution of crinoids, which are among the oldest living animals on Earth. Crinoids have survived several mass extinctions, including the one that wiped out most of the dinosaurs. They have also adapted to various environments, from tropical reefs to polar seas.

The discovery also highlights the need for more exploration and conservation of the deep ocean, which is home to many unknown and endangered species. The deep ocean is facing multiple threats from climate change, pollution, overfishing, and mining. These threats could affect not only the survival of individual species, but also the functioning of entire ecosystems.

The researchers hope that their work will inspire more people to appreciate and protect the amazing creatures that live in the ocean depths.

What do you think?

Are you fascinated by the new alien-like sea creature? Do you want to learn more about crinoids and other deep-sea animals? Do you think we should do more to explore and conserve the ocean? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Sources

Bizarre, alien-like creature discovered deep in Atlantic Ocean has 20 gangly arms | Yahoo Lifestyle
Marine scientists discovered a terrifying new sea creature with 20 arms | BGR
Alien-like creature with 20 arms discovered in the Antarctic Ocean | Times of India
Bizarre, alien-like creature discovered deep in Atlantic Ocean has 20 gangly arms | Live Science
Alien-Like Sea Creature With 20 Arms Identified By Scientists | All That's Interesting
Atlantic discovery: 12 new species 'hiding in the deep' | BBC
4 Recently Discovered Ocean Species | Ocean Conservancy
Meet some of the new species discovered in 2022 | CNN
Video: New species discovered at bottom of sea floor | CNN

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