Regular readers of our site know very well that every year researchers discover hundreds of animal species new to science. As a rule, they are found in hard-to-reach corners of our planet, such as remote areas of the jungle or the depths of seas and oceans. In 2024, scientists conducted an expedition off the coast of Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui. In the waters of the uninhabited island of Sala y Gomez, which is very far from large civilization, researchers were able to see previously unknown fish, squid, starfish, crabs and other aquatic inhabitants. In total, scientists counted 50 new animals, which will be carefully studied in the near future. The expedition members shared photographs of some of the creatures, and they show with all their appearance that they are not happy with unexpected guests.
New species of animals were discovered using a deep-sea robot. Source: YouTube channel IFL Science
Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean
Easter Island is located in the southeastern part of the Pacific Ocean and belongs to the Republic of Chile. The capital of the island and the only city on its territory is Hanga Roa, which is home to approximately 7,000 people.
Easter Island is famous for its moai statues. Source: rosspectr.ru
No one lives on the nearby islet of Sala y Gomez. It was formed many years ago as a result of underwater volcanic activity, and today is part of a chain of 110 underwater volcanoes. Nothing except rare bushes grows there, and the island itself is small – the length of the island is only 800 meters. On land, seabirds are mainly found, but in coastal waters, scientists are impressed by the diversity of living creatures.
View of the island of Sala y Gomez from an airplane. Source: ru.wikipedia.org
Article on the topic:Where is Easter Island and where did its indigenous population disappear?
New species of animals in 2024< /h2>
New species of marine animals were discovered during an expedition organized by the Schmidt Ocean Institute. Experts have been studying the coastline of Chile for a long time, and the unremarkable island of Sala y Gomez has become one of the most interesting objects for them.
While studying the waters near the island of Sala y Gomez, scientists met 160 species animals, and 50 of them turned out to be completely new to science. Many of them remained in the shadows because they live deeper than humans can swim.
Video about the expedition
For example, they discovered a new species of fish from the Haunax family. part of which is the angler fish, which is also known as monkfish. Like its deep-sea relative, representatives of the new species have a rounded body and an unusual mouth position. We wrote above that new species of animals are clearly not happy with guests, but the Haunax fish seems to be the most upset.
A new species of Haunax fish. Source: IFL Science
The photo below shows a deep sea dragon fish. Despite its rather harmless appearance, it is a predator with a huge jaw with many wedge-shaped teeth. Scientists met her on the southeastern slope of an unknown seamount.
Deep sea dragon fish. Source: IFL Science
The next photo shows us a Chrysogorgia coral and a squat lobster. Corals are home to many species of animals and this tiny creature has found a home too.
Corals and a tiny lobster
Also near the island of Sala-i- Gomez, the expedition members met an octopus, which they managed to photograph. It goes without saying that scientists have encountered many more unusual creatures, but many of them are either not captured on camera, or these images are not yet ready for publication on the Internet.
A tiny octopus that the expedition members encountered. Source: IFL Science
Dozens of new species of animals need detailed study, after which articles about them will begin to appear in Wikipedia and popular science articles. If among the new species of sea creatures there are creatures with interesting features, we will definitely tell you about them. So subscribe to our Zen channel so you don’t miss out!
Read also:New species of fish found in hard-to-reach lakes in Russia
Map of the Pacific Ocean
Map of the Pacific Ocean h2>
In addition to searching for animals, members of the expedition were engaged in mapping underwater areas. In 2024, they were able to map 78,000 square kilometers of hidden underwater terrain. They discovered six seamounts, the existence of which no one had previously known.
Scientists have managed to map a huge area of the Pacific Ocean floor. Source: IFL Science YouTube channel
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The discovered creatures, apparently, have not even been given names at the moment. Scientists usually give names in honor of the place where new species were discovered or make references to famous personalities. Sometimes animals are named after fictional characters – for example, in 2020 we talked about insects named after Marvel comic book heroes. Thus, a tiny creature with big eyes and a mustache was named after Stan Lee, creator of the world-famous graphic novels about Spider-Man, Hulk, and so on.