New Tiny Blue Octopus Species Discovered in Deep Galápagos Waters
Scientists have identified a new species of tiny blue octopus, *Microeledone galapagensis*, found nearly 1,800 meters deep near Darwin Island in the Galápagos. Discovered during a 2015 expedition using a submersible, the golf-ball-sized cephalopod was formally described in *Zootaxa* using non-destructive CT scans. The discovery highlights the vast unexplored deep ocean and the unique biodiversity of the Galápagos archipelago.
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Tiny Golf-Ball-Sized Octopus Unknown to Science Discovered in Pacific Ocean
Scientists have discovered a new species of tiny blue octopus, named Microeledone galapagensis, in the deep waters near the Galapagos Islands. The creature, about the size of a golf ball, was first spotted during a 2015 deep-sea expedition aboard the E/V Nautilus at a depth of 5,800 feet near Darwin Island. Researchers from the Field Museum, Charles Darwin Foundation, and Galapagos National Park Directorate collaborated on the discovery. To avoid damaging the single specimen, scientists used micro CT scanning to create a detailed 3D model and confirm it as a new species. The discovery, published in the journal Zootaxa, highlights how much of the deep ocean remains unexplored and underscores the importance of protecting these hidden ecosystems.
India Today | Latest StoriesTiny Blue Octopus Discovered Nearly 6,000 Feet Beneath Galápagos Identified as New Species
A tiny blue octopus, about the size of a golf ball, discovered nearly 6,000 feet beneath the waters of the Galápagos Islands has been officially identified as a new species. The creature was first spotted during a 2015 deep-sea expedition aboard the E/V Nautilus, using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) near an underwater mountain off Darwin Island. Researchers from the Charles Darwin Foundation and Field Museum collaborated on the study, published in Zootaxa. Because only one specimen was available, scientists used non-destructive micro CT scans to examine its internal anatomy rather than dissecting it. The scans revealed detailed internal organ systems and mouth structures, allowing classification as a new species. Lead author Janet Voight of the Field Museum noted the octopus's striking blue color and unique features, calling it unlike any known species.
Latest Science News -- ScienceDailyTiny Blue Octopus Discovered in Deep Sea Off Galápagos Islands
Researchers have discovered a new species of tiny blue octopus, Microeledone galapagensis, in the deep sea off the Galápagos Islands. The golf ball-sized animal was found during a 2015 expedition near Isla Darwin at a depth of 1,773 meters using a remotely operated underwater robot. To avoid dissecting the only captured specimen, scientists at the Field Museum in Chicago used high-resolution micro-computed tomography (CT) to create a 3D model of its internal anatomy. The octopus has short arms with about 30 suckers each. The discovery was published in the journal Zootaxa, with lead author Janet Voight noting she had never seen anything like it before.
Aktuell - FAZ.NETScientists discover new deep-sea blue octopus near Galapagos Islands
Scientists from the Charles Darwin Foundation have discovered a new species of octopus nearly 1,800 meters below the ocean surface near the Galapagos Islands. The tiny, golf-ball-sized cephalopod, named Microeledone galapagensis, is notable for its cerulean blue color, considered the rarest in nature. The discovery was made in 2015 near Darwin Island using a submersible, but the species was only formally described in research published in the journal Zootaxa. Octopus expert Janet Voight of the Field Museum in Chicago identified the specimen using CT scans to create a 3D model, avoiding dissection of the only available specimen. The octopus has stubby arms with a single row of suckers, light blue back, and deep purple underside—a coloration believed to help it hide from predators while hunting. It is the smallest known member of the Megaleledonidae family, which typically inhabits the Southern Ocean.
France 24 - International breaking news, top stories and headlinesGolf ball-sized octopus discovered near the Galápagos Islands
Marine biologists have described a new species of tiny, bright blue octopus, Microeledone galapagensis, discovered near the Galápagos Islands at a depth of about 5,800 feet. First spotted in 2015 during a deep-sea expedition using a remotely operated vehicle near Darwin Island, the golf ball-sized octopus was initially collected as a single specimen. Researchers at the Field Museum used non-destructive micro-CT scanning technology to examine its anatomy without damaging the valuable sample, confirming it as a novel species. The discovery, published in the journal Zootaxa, marks the first octopus species officially described by co-author Janet Voight in her over 40-year career. The species represents a new genus and highlights the importance of deep-sea exploration and advanced imaging techniques in marine biology.
Popular ScienceNew Species of Tiny Blue Octopus Discovered in the Galápagos
Marine biologists have discovered a new species of tiny octopus in the Galápagos, described in the journal Zootaxa. The octopus, initially spotted in 2015 by a submersible camera near Darwin Island at 5,800 feet depth, was collected and preserved. It remained unexamined until 2017 when researchers contacted octopus expert Janet Voight of the Field Museum. Voight used CT scanning to analyze the specimen, finding it had unique features including a large funnel gland, smooth skin, a single tooth, and purple-and-white coloration. Initially thought to belong to the Thaumelodone genus, it was reclassified into the Microeledone genus. The discovery highlights the importance of deep-sea exploration and museum collections in identifying new biodiversity.
TIMETiny Blue Octopus Discovered in Galápagos Highlights Unexplored Deep Ocean
Scientists have announced the discovery of a new species of tiny blue octopus in the Galápagos Islands, as reported in the journal Zootaxa. The Galápagos, located off the coast of Ecuador, are renowned for their unique biodiversity, including marine iguanas and giant tortoises. This new octopus, small enough to curl up in a human hand, underscores how much of the deep ocean remains unexplored. The finding adds to the over one thousand endemic species already known from the archipelago and highlights ongoing scientific efforts to document marine life in remote habitats.
Phys.org - latest science and technology news storiesTiny alien-like blue octopus discovered lurking off the Galapagos Islands
Scientists have announced the discovery of a new species of octopus, named Microeledone galapagensis, found on a deep-sea mountain off Darwin Island in the Galapagos archipelago. The golf ball-sized, blue octopus was first spotted in July 2015 during a 10-day expedition aboard the E/V Nautilus using a robotic submersible at a depth of 1,773 meters. Researchers from the Charles Darwin Research Station collected specimens and, after analysis including micro-CT scanning, confirmed it was a previously unknown species. The octopus had smooth skin, few suckers on its arms, and 13 eggs in its ovaries. The discovery highlights how much of the deep ocean around the Galapagos remains unexplored. The findings were published in the journal Zootaxa.
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