A group of international researchers has found at least four new species on the seabed off Costa Rica. This was announced by the Schmidt Ocean Institute this week. – These discoveries are fantastically exciting and at the same time are proof that there is so much we still don’t know about the ocean, says marine biologist and head of the ocean team at the WWF World Wide Fund for Nature, Fredrik Myhre. has named the octopus Dorado Octopus. Photo: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute By following two squid breeding grounds six months apart, the research group made new discoveries about the squid and observed several new species. Octopuses Octopuses are a class of molluscs characterized by a two-part body shape: the head has a mouth surrounded by tentacles and the body is often pouch-shaped or pointed. Around 800 species are known from all the world’s oceans. The octopuses are divided into two groups: Coleoidea and Nautiloidea. All octopuses are predators. The octopus is considered the most intelligent of the invertebrates. The name squid comes from an ink sac they empty when they feel threatened, but not all species have this. More about squid in Norwegian waters can be found, among other things, on the pages of the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research. Sources: Store norske lexikon and the Institute of Marine Research – The impact of the expeditions on the understanding of the depths of the Pacific Ocean off Costa Rica will last into the future, and hopefully create an awareness that leads to regulations to protect the deep sea, says one of the expedition leaders, Jorge Cortés from the University of Costa Rica (UCR). Hatching eggs in hot springs The four new species that have been identified are in the process of being named. One of the species Muusoctopus is already named Dorado Octopus. Incubating squid mothers often curl up with their tentacles’ suction cups out. The researchers believe this may be a defensive position to warn predators. Photo: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute It is named after the rock cluster where it was first seen, which is unofficially called El Dorado Hill. According to the researchers, the discovery supports the theory that the genus Muusoctopus has evolved to hatch its eggs in hot springs. The spawning areas the researchers investigated are linked to hydrothermal springs, i.e. fissures in volcanic areas on the seabed, where the continents meet, where gases and hot salt water with minerals flow out. 310 specimens on two expeditions The new discoveries were made during two expeditions last year – one in June and one in December, in an area of around 260 square kilometres. The researchers collected more than 310 specimens of deep-water animals on the two expeditions. The researchers also discovered a breeding ground for skaters in the deep sea, which they called “skate park”. Photo: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute The researchers found that the breeding grounds appear to be active all year round, and they also observed several new species outside the hydrothermal springs. According to the researchers, female octopuses can incubate eggs for several years. She does not eat during the period, and dies around the time the eggs hatch. 28 known Norwegian species Researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, Rupert Wienerroither, tells news that 28 different squid species have been detected in Norwegian waters. – It is quite possible that there are more that we do not know about, but if so, they are very rare. On some of these 28, we only know about one or a few individuals, says the marine scientist. Parts of an octopus pictured during one of the expeditions on the seabed off Costa Rica. It is not known whether this is one of the new species. Photo: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute He points out that it is more likely to discover new species in deeper water. – So it is not particularly surprising with these four new species, but very exciting and interesting, he says to news. Calls for more knowledge There is also great variation among the known Norwegian species: Marine biologist and head of the ocean team at the WWF World Wildlife Fund, Fredrik Myhre, believes more knowledge is essential. Photo: Geir Barstein / WWF The World Wide Fund for Nature – Some species are found right up in the bedrock, while others are pure deep-sea species. Globally, science has so far mapped over 800 different species of squid, says Fredrik Myhre. The WWF marine biologist believes that the need for knowledge about the ocean has never been greater. He also highlights the debate about mining on the seabed, where he believes the lack of knowledge about the deepest ocean areas and the nature there has been central. – An increased investment in marine research going forward is crucial to being able to take better care of life in the sea, he emphasizes.
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Discovered four new species of squid – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
