An expedition to the Salas y Gomez mountain range, off Rapa Nui, in the Pacific Ocean, has documented 160 species of animals that were not known to live in this area of Chile's mysterious Easter Island. Plus, they discovered 50 creatures completely new to science.
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An international team of scientists led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute in the United States has identified new species in seamounts Of South America, Which is completely unknown to science. The species observed consist of squid, fish, corals, molluscs, starfish, glass sponges, sea urchins, crabs, lobsters, and others.
Specifically, work in the Salas y Gómez mountain range, in front of Rapa Nui, in the Pacific Ocean, allowed the discovery of 160 species that were previously unknown in the region: among them, About 50 are new For specialists. In addition to these findings, the team of researchers was able to discover the most famous photosynthetic animal in the world: Leptocris, also called wrinkled coral.
Unique area
the Salas y Gómez mountain range in Chile It is one of the sites considered for classification as a marine protected area on the high seas, following the ratification of the United Nations High Seas Treaty. Although many countries, including the United States, have signed the treaty, only Chile and Palau have ratified it so far. When 60 countries ratify the treaty, countries will be able to establish marine protected areas in international waters with sufficient scientific data.
These findings were made after a team of scientists completed a 40-day research expedition across the Salas y Gomez mountain range to Rapa Nui, also known as… Easter Island. Located off the coast of Chile, the mountain range is a biologically rich area: specialists have examined 10 seamounts and two islands in the 2,900-kilometre-long ocean chain. They found that individual seamounts host distinct ecosystems, such as glass sponge gardens and deep coral reefs.
All the richness of underwater life
“Amazing Animal habitats and communities What we have uncovered is a definitive example of how little we know about this remote region. He concluded in a statement that these campaigns will help raise awareness about decision-making regarding the environmental importance of these areas and will contribute to strengthening protection strategies inside and outside territorial waters. press release Dr. Javier Silanes is one of the scientists responsible for the discovery.
Scientists examined 10 seamounts, which are mountains that rise beneath the surface of the sea At least 1000 meters above the surrounding sea floor. Six of these mountains have not been documented by previous scientific studies: each underwater mountain includes its own mountain Unique ecosystem.
