With their large heads and jelly-like bodies wrapped in loose skin, one might assume that the bumpy snailfish is easy to spot. However, this unique-looking species was previously unknown to science. Thanks to significant advancements in underwater technology, researchers have now uncovered the secrets of the deep sea, including the discovery of the bumpy snailfish (Careproctus colliculi). This exciting revelation is part of ongoing research aimed at understanding the diversity of life in our oceans.
Utilizing cutting-edge technology developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), a team of scientists from the State University of New York at Geneseo, the University of Montana, and the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa have published their findings in the scientific journal Ichthyology and Herpetology. Their research highlights the identification of three new species of snailfish observed along the abyssal seafloor off the coast of California, emphasizing the importance of continuous exploration in marine biology.
Snailfish belong to the family Liparidae, characterized by their large heads, jelly-like bodies, and narrow tails. Many species within this family possess a disk on their belly, which enables them to grip the seafloor or hitch a ride on larger marine animals, such as deep-sea crabs. While shallow-water snailfish often cling to rocks and seaweed, curling up like traditional snails, over 400 different species of snailfish have been documented worldwide, thriving in diverse habitats ranging from shallow tide pools to the depths of the ocean.
The newly described snailfish were collected from two distinct sites during deep-sea expeditions. Two specimens were retrieved by the research submersible Alvin from a staggering depth of 13,513 feet at Station M, a long-term research observatory approximately 130 miles off the California coast. The third specimen was collected during an expedition aboard MBARI’s retired research vessel, Western Flyer, in the outer reaches of Monterey Canyon, approximately 100 kilometers offshore Central California.
During this exploration, MBARI’s remotely operated vehicle, Doc Ricketts, observed a small snailfish swimming just above the abyssal seafloor at a depth of 3,268 meters. This adult female, measuring 9.2 centimeters, was collected for further scientific study.
The research team, led by associate professor Mackenzie Gerringer from SUNY Geneseo, employed a range of advanced techniques, including microscopy, micro-computed tomography scanning, and precise measurements. This thorough examination allowed them to gather detailed information about the size, shape, and physical characteristics of the three new snailfish species, distinguishing them from all previously known species. Additionally, they sequenced the DNA of the specimens to assess their evolutionary relationships within the family Liparidae.
“Taxonomy is essential for understanding the organisms with whom we share our planet and for studying and conserving global biodiversity,” stated Gerringer. Co-author Brett Woodworth emphasized the significance of both morphological and genetic identification methods for deep-dwelling fish. He noted that the two species collected at Station M displayed cryptic characteristics, making their external morphologies similar. However, through comprehensive identification techniques, the team successfully distinguished between the two species and gained insights into the evolutionary history of snailfish in the deep sea.
The discovery of these new snailfish species deepens our understanding of the complex communities that exist in the abyssal depths, which constitute approximately 50% of the Earth's surface. As research continues to unveil more mysteries of the deep sea, the findings highlight the importance of curiosity and exploration in marine science. For more information and updates from the Oceanographic Newsroom, click here.
