First sea creature described from video

A new species of ribworm found at a depth of nearly 4km has become the first creature to be described and named by National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration – NOAA scientists, based on video documentation alone.

A team from NOAA’s US ocean exploration researchers discovered Ctenophora, now named Duobrachium sparksae, near Puerto Rico in 2015, but it was only after years of analysis that the creature was described in Plankton & Benthos Research.

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The ribcage was spotted on footage taken by the ROV Deep Discoverer, and was subsequently classified by NOAA scientist duo Mike Ford and Allen Collins as a complete novelty in the world of science.

This is very unique because we were able to describe a new species entirely based on video documentation alone. Deep Discoverer’s robotic cameras are able to acquire very high-resolution images and capture organisms measuring less than a millimetre, Collins said

The researchers pointed out that although they did not have the same capabilities as when using microscopes in the laboratory, the video can also provide enough information to know in detail the morphology, location of reproductive organs and other aspects.

The ribworm measures about 6cm on its own body, and about 30cm with tentacles. In the water, it moved like a hot air balloon, maintaining a certain height above the bottom, Ford said

NOAA notes that ribworms and jellyfish are not closely related, although both creatures are made up of 95% water. Ribworms typically have eight rows of cilia that beat rhythmically, refracting light into colours as they move, hunting arthropods and larvae. Between 100 and 150 species have been identified to date.