Scientists have discovered over 100 new species off the coast of Chile

During a Schmidt Ocean Institute expedition led by Dr. Javier Sellanes from Chile’s Universidad Católica del Norte between January and February 2024, an international team of scientists discovered potentially over 100 new species living on seamounts off the coast of Chile. The team, exploring vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems, observed these species, including deep-sea corals, glass sponges, sea urchins, amphipods, squat lobsters, and others that are likely new to science. This exploration targeted the seamounts along the Nazca and Salas y Gómez Ridge and within two of Chile’s marine protected areas, the Juan Fernandez and Nazca-Desventuradas marine parks.

The Salas y Gómez Ridge, a 2,900km-long underwater mountain chain of over 200 seamounts stretching from Chilean national waters to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), was under study as part of a mission to gather data supporting its designation as an international high-seas marine protected area. Utilizing an underwater robot capable of reaching depths of 4,500 meters, the scientists collected data from ten seamounts, each hosting unique ecosystems with thriving deep-sea coral reefs and sponge gardens. They collected samples for analyzing the physiology and genetics of the specimens, which they suspect may be previously unknown to science.

The expedition team, during a mission led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute and directed by Dr. Javier Sellanes from Universidad Católica del Norte, mapped a total of 52,777 square kilometers of the seafloor off the coast of Chile and uncovered four previously unknown seamounts within Chilean waters. Among these, the highest seamount, rising 3,530 meters from the seafloor, was explored, mapped, and informally named “Solito” by the expedition members for the first time.

Dr. Sellanes expressed that the expedition far surpassed their expectations. The discovery of a substantial number of new species, particularly among sponges, was astonishing and indicative of the success of marine parks like the Nazca-Desventuradas and Juan Fernández in protecting these fragile marine ecosystems.

Following this successful exploration, a subsequent expedition along the Salas y Gomez Ridge is currently underway aboard the research vessel Falkor (too), set to continue until April 4. This expedition aims to conduct underwater explorations deeper than 600 meters, with live streams of the dives available on the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s YouTube channel.

Dr. Jyotika Virmani, Executive Director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, highlighted the potential years-long process of fully identifying the new species. The institute, established by Eric and Wendy Schmidt in 2009, aims to advance oceanic research, discovery, and conservation.

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