At a Glance
- Scientists identified Dulcibella camanchaca, a predatory amphipod, in the Atacama Trench, revealing unique adaptations for life in nutrient-limited, extreme deep-sea environments.
- This species uses specialized raptorial appendages at nearly 4 cm in length to prey on smaller amphipods, demonstrating a previously unobserved predatory role in such depths.
- Dulcibella camanchaca represents a new species and a new genus, emphasizing the Atacama Trench as a key hotspot for unique biodiversity.
- The 2023 IDOOS Expedition used advanced lander vehicles to sample depths of 8,000 meters, enabling the discovery of this species and advancing deep-ocean exploration.
- Findings highlight the resilience and adaptation of life in extreme environments while underscoring the urgency of protecting deep-ocean ecosystems from human impacts like pollution and climate change.
In the deepest and darkest parts of the ocean, a new species of crustacean has been discovered that challenges our understanding of life in one of Earth’s most extreme environments. The creature, called Dulcibella camanchaca, was found in the Atacama Trench, a deep part of the ocean off the coast of northern Chile. This newly identified species is a predatory amphipod that preys on smaller organisms, a role that had not previously been observed in such deep, nutrient-limited environments. Scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Universidad de Concepción led the discovery published in Systematics and Biodiversity.
At nearly 4 centimeters in length, D. camanchaca uses special appendages, called raptorial appendages, to catch and feed on smaller amphipods that live in the trench. The Atacama Trench, which plunges to depths of over 8,000 meters, has long fascinated scientists due to its isolated and unique ecosystem. Despite the extreme conditions, including intense pressure and a lack of sunlight, this region supports a diverse community of life, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
The discovery of D. camanchaca is fascinating because it not only adds a new species to the scientific record but also represents a new genus. Genetic analysis and physical characteristics confirmed that this species is distinct from other known amphipods, further emphasizing the Atacama Trench as an essential hotspot for biodiversity. The species name, “camanchaca,” comes from a term used in the Andes region to describe the deep, dark mist that shrouds the area, symbolizing the environment in which the species thrives.
This discovery was made possible by the 2023 Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System (IDOOS) Expedition, which used advanced technology to explore the depths of the Atacama Trench. Scientists used a lander vehicle to bring back samples from nearly 8,000 meters below the ocean’s surface. These new findings provide important insights into how life has adapted to extreme environments and underscore the need for further exploration to understand and protect deep-ocean ecosystems, which are increasingly threatened by human activity, such as pollution and climate change.
References
- Weston, J. N. J., González, C. E., Escribano, R., & Ulloa, O. (2024). A new large predator (Amphipoda, eusiridae) hidden at hadal depths of the Atacama Trench. Systematics and Biodiversity, 22(1), 2416430. https://doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2024.2416430
- Ulloa, O., Moreno, M., & Pizarro, O. (n.d.). Chile completes the installation of its first integrated deep-ocean observing system. Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean. Retrieved 13 December 2024, from https://pogo-ocean.org/news/chile-completes-the-installation-of-its-first-integrated-deep-ocean-observing-system/
