Dulcibella
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| Dulcibella | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Amphipoda |
| Family: | Eusiridae |
| Genus: | Dulcibella Weston & González, 2024 |
| Species: | D. camanchaca |
| Binomial name | |
| Dulcibella camanchaca Weston & González, 2024[1] | |
Dulcibella camanchaca is a species of amphipod in the monotypic genus Dulcibella.[a] The species inhabits the Atacama Trench, and is found at depths of nearly 8,000 m (26,000 ft) in the South Pacific Ocean near Chile;[6][7] this makes it one of the deepest-living predators identified to date, being well adapted to the extreme conditions of the hadal zone.[8][9]
Discovery
[edit]The species was first observed during a 2023 oceanographic expedition,[10] in the process of installing the Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System (IDOOS), a network of sensors designed to aid scientific research within the Atacama Trench.[11] The research team used benthic landers to collect specimens from depths nearing 8,000 meters (26,000 ft); for comparison, the altitude of Mount Everest is just over 8,800 meters (28,900 ft). Four specimens were used to describe the species.[12]
In 2024, Dulcibella camanchaca was formally described by marine biologists Johanna Weston and Carolina González.[13][14] The identification of D. camanchaca as a new species was confirmed through DNA analysis and detailed morphological examination.[15] This discovery has contributed to the growing recognition of the Atacama Trench as a region of high biodiversity and endemism.[16][17]
Continued exploration of these regions is expected to yield further insights into the adaptations and biodiversity of organisms living in extreme conditions.[18]
Description
[edit]![[icon]](/everything/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion with: actual diagnostic characters[1]. You can help by adding missing information. (June 2025) |
Dulcibella camanchaca is larger than most other amphipods found at similar depths, measuring approximately 4 cm (1.6 in) in length.[19] It exhibits predatory behavior, using specialized appendages to capture and consume smaller crustaceans,[20] which suggest an ecological role as an active predator in the hadal zone.[21][22]
Notes
[edit]- ↑ The genus name Dulcibella derives from Dulcinea of Don Quixote, consistent with two morphologically similar amphipod genera named after characters from Don Quixote: Cleonardo Stebbing 1888 and Dorotea Corbari, Frutos & Sorbe 2019. The name Dulcinea was already a genus of Coleoptera. Dulcibella appears in medieval English literature.[1][2][3] The specific epithet camanchaca originates from the Aymara word kamanchaka "darkness", referencing its deep-sea habitat.[4][5]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Weston, Johanna N. J.; González, Carolina E.; Escribano, Rubén; Uloa, Osvaldo (27 November 2024). "A new large predator (Amphipoda, Eusiridae) hidden at hadal depths of the Atacama Trench". Systematics and Biodiversity. 22 (1) 2416430. Bibcode:2024SyBio..2216430W. doi:10.1080/14772000.2024.2416430.
- ↑ Corbari, Laure; Frutos, Inmaculada; Sorbe, Jean-Claude (2019). "Dorotea gen. nov., a new bathyal genus (Amphipoda, Eusiridae) from the Solomon Sea (Papua New Guinea)" (PDF). Zootaxa. 24568 (1): 69–80. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4568.1.4. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ↑ "Darkness unveiled: Fierce alien-like predator emerges from Earth's deepest depths". Times of India.
- ↑ Jess Thomson (10 December 2024). "Eerie 'Darkness' Predator Discovered in Deep Ocean". Newsweek.
- ↑ Mark Kaufman (17 December 2024). "26,000 feet undersea, scientists find a ghostly predator". Mashable.
- ↑ Sammi Caramela (18 December 2024). "Deep-Sea Predator Built for Killing Discovered 8,000 Meters Underwater". VICE News.
- ↑ "Researchers discover new ocean predator in the Atacama Trench". MSN.
- ↑ Alex Mitchell (17 December 2024). "Deep-sea predator discovered with a body made for 'capturing, killing and feasting', scientists say". New York Post.
- ↑ "Mysterious 'Alien-Like' Creature Discovered By Scientists In Deep Ocean, Revealing Unexplored Marine World". Jagran English.
- ↑ Dixit, Mrigakshi (2024-12-11). "Atacama Trench's terrifying new resident survives at extreme 25,900 feet". Interesting Engineering.
- ↑ Ulloa, Osvaldo; Moreno, Marcos; Pizarro, Oscar (2023-11-15). "Chile completes the installation of its first Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System". Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
- ↑ Dhingra, Divya (2024-12-17). "Scientists Discover Alien-Like Predator in the Ocean's Depths, Call It 'Darkness'". The Tech Outlook.
- ↑ "Alien-like' predator found by scientists in ocean depths, named 'darkness' | The amphipod was found in the Atacama Trench". Inshorts.
- ↑ Grzimel, Amanda. "Deep-sea discovery: New predator species found in Atacama trench". MSN.[dead link]
- ↑ "Scientists discover new 'miniature' predator on seabed". MSN. 2024-12-22.
- ↑ "Scientists caught unknown marine predator". RBC Ukraine. 2024-12-13.
- ↑ Tommy (2024-12-10). "Newly Discovered Predator Thrives in the World's Most Unforgiving Ocean Depths". Optic Flux.
- ↑ McLendon, Russell (2024-12-12). "Scientists Discover New Deep-Sea Predator, Name It 'Darkness'". ScienceAlert.
- ↑ Maya Edwards (15 December 2024). "Unbelievable Deep-Sea Discovery! Meet the Alien-Like Predator that Defies Expectations!". www.scimag.news.
- ↑ Dr. Emma Lee (12 December 2024). "Unveiling Darkness: Alien Predator Found in Ocean Depths Shocks Scientists Worldwide!". Faharas Net.
- ↑ "Creepy crustacean: Meet the deep sea predator named 'darkness'". Oceanographic Magazine. 12 December 2024.
- ↑ "Chile's Deep-Sea Discovery: A Predator in the Abyss". Latin American Post. 17 December 2024.