Marine Biologists Find Unidentified Translucent Species in the Deep Sea

Spearheaded by Dr. Oliver Shipley from the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) at Stony Brook University, this remarkable discovery took place during an exploration of the Exuma Sound off the coast of the Bahamas. Published in the journal Zootaxa, their findings shed light on the fascinating characteristics of this crustacean, offering valuable insights into the secrets of the ocean’s depths.

Remarkably, these isopods can attain lengths of up to two feet, securing their position as one of the most sizable crustaceans and the largest recognized member within the isopod family. This considerable size could be an evolutionary adaptation to cope with the intense pressure characteristic of the deep-sea environment.

Renowned for its enigmatic depths, this region has undergone thorough exploration facilitated by cutting-edge underwater technology. Utilizing manned submersibles, scientists have descended to remarkable depths of 800 meters (2,624 feet) to observe, analyze, and sample the diverse array of creatures and terrain that inhabit the darkness of the Exuma Sound.

Discovered at a depth of 1,800 feet, this deep-sea isopod boasts a distinctive translucent body and remarkable giant eyes, exemplifying its ability to thrive in the challenging conditions of the Exuma Sound’s cold and dark waters.

The fossil evidence of isopods traces back to the Carboniferous period, a minimum of 300 million years ago, during which these creatures thrived in shallow seas. During this epoch, isopods manifested as primitive, short-tailed members within the Phreatoicidea suborder.

Unlike their shallower counterparts, Booralana nickorum, dwelling beyond 500 meters, doesn’t require pigmentation, resulting in its unique white and slightly translucent appearance.

Nicholas Higgs, co-author of the study and Director of Research and Innovation at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, notes, “You can see its guts and things,” highlighting the creature’s extraordinary physical traits.

This process facilitates the utilization of energy sources by the broader ecosystem. Intriguingly, certain isopods within the Booralana genus have been linked to predation on living vertebrates, including sharks, contributing to the delicate balance of deep-sea ecosystems.

This size enables the deep-sea scavenger to patiently wait on the seabed for food to descend from above, a critical adaptation in an environment where sustenance is scarce.

In contrast, deep-sea isopods display deep-sea gigantism, a phenomenon where regular isopods, usually around 5 centimeters (2 inches) long, are dwarfed by giant deep-sea isopods like the Bathynomus spp., which can grow up to 16 inches (40 centimeters) in length.

Periodically, substantial food supplies, such as whale fall, contribute to the nutrient pool on the seabed. The term “whale fall” refers to the phenomenon of deceased whales sinking to the ocean floor, serving as a source of sustenance and nutrients for deep-sea organisms.

Employing diverse lighting methods, scientists successfully captured and studied the elusive isopod in its natural habitat. As marine biologists continue to plumb the ocean’s depths, it is anticipated that more revelations about undiscovered species and their ecological roles will come to light.