Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute scientists have discovered Bathydevius caudactylus, a new species of glowing sea slug that lives deep in the ocean.
Researchers have discovered a new species of glowing sea slug deep in the ocean’s midnight zone. Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute scientists said in a press release on Tuesday that while Bathydevius caudactylus is classified as a sea slug, it was nicknamed the 'mystery mollusk' because the creature was unlike any other that’s been encountered before.
Senior Scientist Bruce Robison. 'Our discovery is a new piece of the puzzle that can help better understand the largest habitat on Earth.' Researchers found that Bathydevius evolved to find unique ways to survive in its environment. It uses a cavernous hood to trap crustaceans 'like a Venus fly trap plant,' like some jellies, anemones and tunicates. The mysterious creature also hides from predators in plain sight, taking advantage of its transparent body.
scientists said that it was only thanks to the facility’s advanced underwater technology that they were able to compile the most comprehensive description of any deep-sea creature to date. What is exciting to me about the mystery mollusk is that it exemplifies how much we are learning as we spend more time in the deep sea, particularly below 2,000 meters,' said
Senior Scientist Steven Haddock. 'For there to be a relatively large, unique, and glowing animal that is in a previously unknown family really underscores the importance of using new technology to catalog this vast environment.'
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