Overview

The deeper into the ocean you go, the weirder life seems to become. And things may have gotten even weirder underwater. From fish on stilts to batfish, researchers have uncovered strange deep-sea creatures during investigations of two new marine parks located 2,500 kilometers (about 1,500 miles) off Australia’s western coast.

The science and other stuff to know

A team of researchers at Museums Victoria Research Institute in Australia recently embarked on 13,000 kilometers (8,000 miles) deep-sea research voyage, exploring vast, prehistoric undersea mountains and undiscovered animal inhabitants in the remote waters of Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Even before the expedition commenced, the team anticipated the discovery of unknown species in the deep sea, according to a press release.

“We [were] excited about the prospect of discovering new species,” senior curator of marine invertebrates Tim O’Hara said. “No one has seen these isolated areas before. We have no maps of them and no knowledge of what lives there. And this voyage provides world-first baseline data of these unknown marine environments and their inhabitants.”

On the way, researchers encountered dazzling arrays of flying fish midair, with actual wings. Using sonar, the team then mapped the seabed uncovering ancient sea mountains, volcanic cones, canyons, and ridges. The extinct volcanoes formed 140 to 50 million years ago, before the extinction of dinosaurs. They also collected fish with a net that is dragged across the sea floor for 30 minutes or so before being brought to the surface and sorted by scientists on the ship.

The crew reported collecting a big treasure haul of species from 60 meters (196 feet) down to a depth of 5,500 meters (3,417 miles). Perhaps the one that caused the most stir was a new type of blind cusk eel, with loose, gooey see-through skin.

They also found batfish that resemble dumplings. This fish has a tiny little lure that sits in a depression on its snout. It can move to attract prey, and basically, walk across the floor on its modified arms and legs.

Another favorite amongst researchers is the “tripod fish”, a fish with fins that allow it to stand off the sea floor. This enables it to eat whatever food it comes across.

Fancy sea cucumbers, plenty of sea stars, and lots of sea snails also call this region home as do many other strange deep-sea creatures the team found.

So what?

The research outcomes from the voyage will be invaluable to the understanding of Australia’s deep-sea environments and habitats.

“These [findings] will be crucial in conservation and future management strategies, working towards protecting these isolated areas from the impacts of climate change, pollution, and other human activities,” says O’Hara.

What’s next?

The discovered deep-sea creatures will be studied by taxonomists to confirm their identity or describe new species. This means that the number of potentially new species may increase over time. In other studies, researchers have found other creatures of the deep that lurks in the ocean’s darkness.

Meanwhile, as scientists produce a 3D mapping of the Islands, they are revealing unique undersea mountain ranges. Next, scientists will pass the Muirfield Seamount on their way back, which was discovered in 1973 when an English bulk carrier collided with it.

“It’s an enormous sea mount coming up from 5 kilometers below the surface in a big cone,” O’Hara said. “We’re really excited because no one’s actually seen it before, we don’t know what’s on the top, if it’s a big volcano shape or if it’s multiple peaks or whatever … so we’re slowly going along the base now and we’re going to reveal it in all its glory.”