THIS is the incredible moment an unknown deep sea squid was seen carrying translucent eggs leading to experts uncovering clues of a new species.
The stunning deep-sea squid first captured the fascination of researchers when it was recorded cradling giant eggs in 2015 – something they had never seen before.
The amazing footage was taken in the Gulf of California, with the squid initially believed to be a part of the Gonatidae family.
Nearly a decade on researchers believe this is an unknown species that has been discovered found through a range of clues in the footage.
Deep-sea squids are vital in the ocean food webs. They are key predators that devour fishes and invertebrates, such as worms, in the midwater.
In turn, they are gobbled up by those a lot larger than them, like big fishes, sharks, whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds.
Despite being incredibly important both ecological and economic, these 10-limbed creatures are still a mystery to researchers, especially the unknown species caught in the footage.
The fascinating clues
The 1.5in-wide eggs initially had experts thinking the beast was a not a typical deep-sea squid.
Suspicions were confirmed as old sightings of Gonatus squids report eggs half the size of ones in the footage at only 0.25in-wide.
The lack of eggs – thought to be less than 40 – also baffled researchers.
In comparison, normal Gonatus squids carry considerably more, with some in the past brooding up to 3,000 eggs at a time.
Squids are also rarely seen alive in such a cold and dark enviroment.
The mere depth that the sea squid was captured in gave away key indications that it wasn’t a known species.
A deep-sea squid protecting eggs after laying them is an extremely rare sight, experts say, as the process can lead to mothers dying from eggs hatching.
Steven Haddock, a senior scientist and expedition leader at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Instutute said: “Our unexpected encounter with a squid brooding giant eggs caught the attention of everyone in the ship’s control room”
“This remarkable sighting underscores the diversity of ways that animals adapt to the unique challenges of living in the deep.”
Deep sea mystery – how only a fraction of deep sea creatures are believed to have been discovered
OCEANS and water make up around 71 per cent of the Earth’s surface with almost all of that being left untouched by humans.
This has led to millions of marine life being left undiscovered.
Scientists predict up to two million different species swim around in the ocean with only 250,000 of these being found so far, say the World Register of Marine Species.
Some of the weirdest creatures ever discovered include the gelatinous “gummy squirrel” sea cucumbers, colourful polychaete worms, pink see-through fantasias, Christmas tree worms and even a large group of leafy seadragons.
Part of the huge problem stems from research team’s poor ability to search the ocean floor due to how deep it is in some parts of the world.
Zero visibility far down and extreme cold temperatures means technology needs to catch up before the ocean can fully be explored.
Dr. Thomas Hughes is a UK-based scientist and science communicator who makes complex topics accessible to readers. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
