Scientists have discovered four previously unknown octopus species dwelling in the deep waters off Costa Rica.
Four New Octopus Species Discovered Off Costa Rica
Just last month, scientists visited an enigmatic nursery off Costa Rica's seafloor. There, they were able to witness a new generation of octopuses in the deep sea emerging gently from a cluster of semitranslucent, oblong eggs.
Now, the scientists have been able to confirm that these octopuses belong to a completely novel and yet-to-be-named octopus species. The species has been given the nickname "Dorado octopus."
The researchers have also announced that, on top of this, they were able to discover three more new species of deep-sea octopuses.
Deep-sea ecologist Jim Barry from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute explains that discovering four new octopus species during two expeditions is quite exciting. It reveals the deep sea's rich biodiversity and hints that more is awaiting to be discovered.
This visit to the deep-sea nursery came as part two of the expedition of the Schmidt Ocean Institute that happened six months before. Back then, researchers were also able to witness baby octopus emerge from the eggs that their own mothers were brooding close to hydrothermal vents on the same rock formation underwater, known as the Dorado Outcrop. The proximity of the octopuses to the vents suggests that they could have evolved to make use of the seeping warmth in order to accelerate their process of incubation, which is incredibly long for several deep-sea creatures.
The researchers gathered some specimens of octopus close to the vents and others that were farther. They brought the samples to the University of Costa Rica's Zoology Museum. Researchers and specialists then embarked on a journey to classify the species.
Dorado Octopus and Three Other Species
The Dorado octopus strikingly resembles the pearl octopus, or Muusoctopus robustus, which a different research team found brooding eggs close to central California's hydrothermal vents. To be able to distinguish the Dorado octopus as a different species, the researchers carefully observed and described the different octopuses. Janet Voight, an associate invertebrate zoology curator from the Field Museum of Natural History, explains that the two octopus species have odd morphology, as they harbor a robust body, smallish eyes, and arms that are fairly short. Voigt adds that these details are what separate the two species.
Among the three other species of octopuses that the team was able to identify, two were found to belong to the Muusoctopus genus. They have two sucker rows on their arms and also lack an ink sac.
However, they appear quite different. For the two, their most obvious difference with the Dorado octopus is their large eyes. One species also appears reddish and has longer arms, while another has a lighter hue over its top side and a darker shade under.
Voight explains that the fourth octopus species was quite odd, unlike anything she has seen in the past. The researchers were able to observe just one sucker row on each arm of the animals as well as distinct bumps over their skin. Voight notes that the bumps are quite unexpected and that they have a pale tone.
So far, the three other octopuses are still nameless. The researchers gathered more specimens they are still examining in order to get the best possible classifications. Following these classification efforts, each species must be carefully described and illustrated, with information being subject to peer review.
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