A palm-sized blue octopus first spotted off the Galapagos Islands in 2015 has been identified as a new deep-sea species, according to a study published in the journal Zootaxa.
The octopus, named Microeledone galapagensis, was discovered during a deep-sea expedition aboard the research vessel EV Nautilus. A remotely operated robot spotted the creature about 5,800 feet below the surface near Darwin Island at the northern edge of the Galapagos archipelago.
The crew collected one specimen and filmed two others that looked similar. The octopus, about the size of a golf ball, was preserved in alcohol and formalin and sent to the Chicago Field Museum for research.
“Right away, I knew it was something really special. I'd never seen anything like it,” said Janet Voight, an author of the study. The researchers faced a challenge with only one specimen, as describing a new species typically requires examining internal parts like the mouth and beak, which would involve cutting the specimen open.
To avoid damaging the specimen, the team used CT scans to create a 3D model, revealing fine details of its internal organs. “Because CT imaging is non-destructive, it's especially important for type specimens like this one,” said co-author Stephanie Smith.
The discovery highlights how much of the ocean around the Galapagos remains unexplored. “Every new species helps us better understand these hidden ecosystems, and why protecting them matters,” said Salome Buglass, a marine scientist from UCLA.
