New predator found in one of the deepest parts of the ocean

One of nature’s most well-kept secrets is the ocean’s hadal zone, a realm of darkness that harbors an unexpected predator in its most extreme depths.

This zone includes the deepest part of the ocean. It’s marked by total darkness and crushing pressures – a place where you would not expect to find life.

Yet astonishingly, the hadal zone is home to a myriad of unique creatures that hold clues to understanding life’s evolution in some of Earth’s harshest habitats.

Now, we are shining the spotlight on a new addition to this intriguing underwater neighborhood – a predatory crustacean identified as Dulcibella camanchaca.

This creature is the first predatory amphipod to be discovered in these extreme environments.

A fast-swimming predator in the deep ocean

The experts behind this discovery are scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Instituto Milenio de Oceanografía at the Universidad de Concepción in Chile.

“Dulcibella camanchaca is a fast-swimming predator that we named after ‘darkness’ in the languages of the peoples from the Andes region, to signify the deep, dark ocean from where it predates,” explained study co-lead author Dr. Johanna Weston.

Spanning almost 4 centimeters, this crustacean deploys specialized raptorial appendages to catch and feed on smaller amphipod species lurking in the food-scarce territory of the Atacama Trench.

The trench, a deep scar in the eastern South Pacific Ocean, reaches staggering depths of more than 8,000 meters (26,200 feet) off the northern Chilean coast and has long piqued scientific interest.

Unique life in a harsh environment

The Atacama Trench, which lies far beneath the nutrient-rich surface waters and is geographically distant from other hadal environments, supports a distinctive community of native species. This new crustacean is just one of many unique species that cope with life at great depths.

“Most excitingly, the DNA and morphology data pointed to this species being a new genus too, emphasizing the Atacama Trench as an endemic hotspot,” said Dr. Weston.

The fascinating discovery of Dulcibella camanchaca was part of the 2023 Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System Expedition aboard the R/V Abate Molina.

The team collected four Dulcibella camanchaca individuals at an impressive depth of 7,902 meters (26,000 feet) using a lander vehicle – an untethered platform that transports scientific equipment, including baited traps, to and from the ocean floor.

A collaborative and integrative approach

Upon returning to the ship, the captured amphipods were preserved in freezing conditions before undergoing comprehensive morphological and genetic analyses at the Universidad de Concepción.

Dr. Carolina González, co-lead author of the study who tackled the sample collection and DNA analysis, noted that the team’s collaborative effort and integrative approach confirmed that Dulcibella camanchaca was indeed a new species.

“The new species highlights ongoing biodiversity discoveries in the Atacama Trench. This finding underlines the importance of continued deep-ocean exploration, particularly in Chile’s front yard. More discoveries are expected as we continue to study the Atacama Trench,” said Dr. González.

With each new stride in exploration technology, we can look forward to uncovering more species – each hinting at the unique evolutionary pressures and adaptions in the deep ocean.

The findings will open up new avenues to comprehend these deep-ocean ecosystems better and protect them from emerging threats like pollution and climate change.

Predators of the deep ocean 

Dulcibella camanchaca is just one example of the unique predators that thrive in the hadal zone, but it raises broader questions about how life adapts to such extreme environments.

Predators in these depths, like Dulcibella, rely on highly specialized features to hunt and survive. For instance, their enhanced sensory systems allow them to detect subtle movements in complete darkness, while their powerful appendages make quick work of capturing prey in a world where every meal counts.

These adaptations not only highlight the resilience of the deep-sea organisms, but also provide critical insights into evolutionary biology.

Understanding how these deep-sea predators function can shed light on the survival strategies of life forms in Earth’s most inhospitable habitats, offering clues about how organisms might adapt to extreme conditions on other planets or moons.

As researchers continue to explore the Atacama Trench and other ecosystems in the deep ocean, they are likely to uncover more fascinating predators that will expand our knowledge of the intricate food webs operating miles beneath the surface.

The full study was published in the journal Systematics and Biodiversity.

Image Credit: Johanna Weston, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

—–

Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates. 

Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

—–