An international team of scientists has made a groundbreaking discovery on the Salas y Gómez Ridge, uncovering 160 species previously unknown to inhabit the region. Among these species are squid, fish, corals, mollusks, sea stars, and more, with at least 50 believed to be entirely new to science.
The team, led by Drs. Erin E. Easton and Javier Sellanes, set a new record by spotting the deepest-known photosynthesis-dependent animal in the world, a Leptoseris wrinkle coral. This finding adds to the growing body of knowledge about the biodiversity of the area.
The research expedition, which spanned 40 days and covered the Salas y Gómez Ridge to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), revealed the rich biological diversity of the region. The team closely examined 10 seamounts and two islands along the 2,900-kilometer-long oceanic mountain range, discovering unique ecosystems like glass sponge gardens and deep coral reefs.
The Salas y Gómez Ridge, home to over 110 seamounts, supports the migration of various marine animals, including whales, sea turtles, swordfish, tuna, and sharks. The expedition mapped 78,000 square kilometers of the area, uncovering six previously undocumented seamounts.
The data collected during the expedition will play a crucial role in informing the management of marine protected areas, particularly around Rapa Nui. The Salas y Gómez Ridge is a potential candidate for designation as a high seas marine protected area under the UN High Seas Treaty, with only Chile and Palau having ratified the agreement so far.
This latest expedition follows a previous research cruise in January, which revealed 100 suspected new species on the Nazca and Juan Fernandez Ridge seamounts. The continuous exploration of these underwater ecosystems highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect the unique marine life in these regions.