Scientists have discovered a new, large, and active predatory crustacean named Dulcibella camanchaca at depths beyond 8,000 metres in the Atacama Trench, one of the most extreme environments on Earth. The creature’s name means “darkness” in the languages of the Andes region, where it originated.
This deep-sea predator has a pale, almost translucent body and uses its raptorial appendages to hunt vulnerable prey. Measuring just under four centimeters in length, it is an unlikely nightmare for humans. However, this creature has evolved to thrive in one of Earth’s most extreme environments.
The Dulcibella camanchaca is the first large, active predatory amphipod to be discovered at such extreme ocean depths. Scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Instituto Milenio de Oceanografia collaborated on the discovery, which provides valuable insights into how life has evolved in the deep sea.
The crustacean was collected at a depth of 7,902 metres using a lander vehicle and then analyzed through detailed morphological and genetic studies. The study confirms that Dulcibella camanchaca is a new species, highlighting the importance of continued deep-ocean exploration, particularly in Chile’s front yard.
As exploration technology advances, scientists expect to uncover more species, each offering insights into evolutionary pressures and adaptations unique to the deep ocean. This discovery contributes to broader efforts to understand deep ocean ecosystems and protect them from emerging threats, such as pollution and climate change.
Source: https://oceanographicmagazine.com/news/newly-discovered-deep-sea-predator-crustacean-named-after-the-darkness