Date: September 10, 2018
Source: Newcastle University
An
exploration to one of the deepest places on earth has captured rare footage of
what is believed to be three new species of the elusive Snailfish.
Involving
a team of 40 scientists from 17 different nations, including Dr Alan Jamieson
and Dr Thomas Linley from Newcastle University, UK, the expedition to the
Atacama Trench has uncovered a wealth of information about life in one of the
deepest places on earth.
Among the
new discoveries are what the team believe to be three new species of snailfish.
Temporarily
named 'the pink, the blue and the purple Atacama Snailfish', the footage shows
the fish feeding and interacting in their secret world 7,500 metres below the
surface.
These
fish are part of the Liparidae family and do not conform to the preconceived
stereotypical image of what a deep-sea fish should look like.
Instead
of giant teeth and a menacing frame, the fishes that roam in the deepest parts
of the ocean are small, translucent, bereft of scales -- and highly adept at
living where few other organisms can. The snailfish will be featured as part of
the Challenger Conference 2018 which kicks off at Newcastle University from
today and runs until Friday.
Dr Thomas
Linley, from Newcastle University, said:
"There
is something about the snailfish (fish of the family Liparidae) that allows
them to adapt to living very deep. Beyond the reach of other fish they are free
of competitors and predators.
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