Scientists have identified 24 previously unknown species of deep-sea amphipods, including one entirely new superfamily, in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the central Pacific Ocean.
The findings were published open access on March 24th. Zookie The special issue represents a major step forward in documenting life at the CCZ. This vast region stretches over 6 million square kilometers between Hawaii and Mexico and is one of the least understood ecosystems on Earth.
The project was led by Dr. Anna Jajewska from the University of Lodz (UL) and Tammy Houghton from the National Oceanographic Center (NOC). A team of 16 experts and young researchers met for a week-long taxonomic workshop at UL’s Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrology in 2024, focused on identifying and describing the region’s amphipod species.
This research contributes to the International Seabed Authority’s Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative (SSKI) and the ‘One Thousand Reasons’ project, which aims to formally describe 1,000 new species by the end of the 2010s.
Rare evolutionary discoveries and new species groups
This research revealed several major scientific milestones. The research team described a total of 24 new species across 10 amphipod families, including both predators and scavengers.
The most important findings are:
- Newly discovered family (Myrabestidae) and superfamily (mirabestioid), representing a completely new branch on the evolutionary tree.
- Two new genera (mirabestia and pseudorepechinella).
- deepest location recorded for several known genera.
- The first molecular barcodes for many rare species.
Dr Tammy Horton said: “Finding a new superfamily is incredibly exciting, but it happens so rarely that this will be a discovery we will remember.”
“More than 90% of the species in the CCZ have yet to be named, so each species described is an important step towards increasing our understanding of this fascinating ecosystem.
“Describing the species encountered during these studies is an important step in documenting the rich biodiversity of the CCZ and will allow us to communicate effectively about the fauna.”
Global collaboration advances deep-sea biodiversity research
Careful classification, known as taxonomy, is essential to understanding the animals that live in the CCZ. This provides important information about the species’ identity, distribution, and ecological role in this delicate environment.
Researchers at the National Marine Center, working with collaborators from institutions around the world, have described eight new species. These include the University of Lodz, the Natural History Museum in London, the Canadian Museum of Nature, New Zealand Geosciences (NIWA), the Senckenberg-Leibniz Institute for Biodiversity and Earth Systems (SGN) at the University of Hamburg, and the University of Bergen Museum.
This project also demonstrated how effective a coordinated taxonomy workshop can be, providing a faster and more collaborative approach to species discovery.
“This was a truly collaborative process, and we were able to achieve the ambitious goal of describing more than 20 new scientific species within a year, which would not have been possible if each of us had worked independently,” said Anna Jajewska from the University of Lodz.
“The research team’s findings provide important information for future conservation and policy-making and highlight how important it is to continue this research.”
At the current rate of approximately 25 new species being described each year, scientists estimate that the amphipods of the eastern CCZ could be almost completely cataloged within the next decade.
Origin of the name of a new deep-sea species
Each newly discovered species must have a scientific name, and researchers often draw inspiration from people, experiences, and even popular culture.
Many of the 24 species were given names that reflected personal connections. Co-research leaders Dr. Tammy Houghton and Dr. Anna Jajewska were both awarded species named after them. Byblis Ortonae, thrombosis aniaand Biblisoides Jazz Jezvskae (each).
Dr. Horton also named a new superfamily species (mirabestia maisy) After her daughter, she had been waiting for a long time to join her brothers in receiving that honor.
The team also recognized the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) with its naming. Eperopeus vermiculatus In honor of this, he called WoRMS “a great resource for all marine taxonomists.”
Young career scientists (including students) also contributed to the naming process, often paying homage to family members or drawing creative connections between deep-sea life and the digital world. 1 species, lepidepecreum miraare named after video game characters, and the author states that both are “nothing more than tiny arthropods trying to survive in complete darkness.”
Language also played a role in naming. seed Pseudorepechinella apricity It reflects the sense of warmth and camaraderie that was created during the workshop.
Dr. Horton revealed: “Aplicity means the feeling of the warmth of the winter sun, and it is one of my favorite words. It was very appropriate to use this word during the workshop when discussing our discoveries in the warmth of the February sun in the Polish winter snow in Lodz. It was certainly appropriate to use it for one of our amphipod discoveries as well.”
“While we came together as research colleagues, the spirit of collaboration and shared experience shone through, so it was important for us to recognize that in our work.”
