On June 16, the Sampling the Abyss mission on the Investigator, which was dedicated to the study of deep-sea ecosystems along the east coast of Australia, was completed. According to ABC News, researchers have collected about a thousand samples of marine fauna, a third of which are new species. The fish caught included the previously known, but not well-studied, drop fish, coffinfish and lizard fish. You can read about how the expedition went in the project blog.
The Investigator's expedition lasted a month. During this time, scientists sailed from Tasmania to Brisbane along the ocean shelf and studied the underwater topography and ecosystems of seven marine reserves. The studies were carried out mainly at a depth of 2500-4000 meters using deep-sea video cameras, samples were collected using trawls, fishing nets and boxes for collecting bottom soil. Some animals that did not live very deeply were caught in the net at the moment when they were already pulled to the surface.
Red coffinfish (coffinfish), possibly a new species Robert Zugaro / Victoria Museums / CSIRO
Lizard fish live at depths of up to 3500 meters. Asher Flatt / Victoria Museums / CSIRO
During the mission, the researchers caught a wide variety of animals. A deep-sea drop fish that lives off the coast of Australia and New Zealand was caught at a depth of about 2.5 kilometers. In 2013, Internet users recognized her as the ugliest animal on the planet and she became the mascot of the Ugly Animal Preservation Society.
A red coffinfish (coffinfish) from the Haunax family, possibly belonging to a new species, was caught at a depth of about a kilometer. The researchers also found a lizard fish. These predatory creatures live at depths of up to 3500 meters and eat whatever they come across, including individuals of their own species. Researchers have already described a new species of ophiur - benthic animals that look like sea stars. The new species was named the Game of Thrones Ophiohamus, Ophiohamus georgemartini. The thorns of this animal are similar to the teeth of the crown from the TV series.
Ophiures caught during the expedition Robert Zugaro, Asher Flatt / Victoria Museums / CSIRO
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Share Deep sea spiders are often blind, which does not prevent them from being excellent swimmers. Robert Zugaro / Victoria Museums / CSIRO Share 1/2
The Atlantic idiakant Idiacanthus atlanticus was caught at a depth of 1500 meters. These predatory fish emit a glow that helps them hunt Jérôme Mallefet / Victoria Museums / CSIRO
Sipunculida or peanut marine worm. It dwells in shallow water, burrowing in sand or occupying abandoned shells. When disturbed, they "shrink" and really look like a peanut. Robert Zugaro / Victoria Museums / CSIRO
