The Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance has launched a publication series with the goal of expediting the process of describing new species.
Despite earth’s vast oceanic biodiversity, only a small percentage of an estimated two million marine species have been officially named and described. One major obstacle is the lengthy delay, frequently enough spanning decades, between the initial discovery of a new species and its official publication.
New Platform for Marine Invertebrate Species Descriptions
The ocean Species Discoveries initiative was created to address this critical gap by providing a high-quality, data-rich platform specifically designed for concise descriptions of marine invertebrate species. This innovative approach can considerably accelerate the timeline for new species descriptions – an essential advantage given the increasing threat of human-driven biodiversity loss that could result in species becoming extinct before they are even known to science.
The project is coordinated by the Senckenberg ocean species Alliance (SOSA),which is part of the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt. The SOSA aims to facilitate global collaboration,provide technical support for documenting species,and promote efficient taxonomic publishing.
Trending: Decades-old Amber Collection Offers New Insights into Lost World
In their second major collection, over 20 researchers worked together to describe 14 new marine invertebrate species and two new genera from around the world. These included worms,mollusks,and crustaceans. Their findings were published in a scientific paper in Biodiversity Data Journal one year after their pilot publication.
“Our shared vision is making taxonomy faster, more efficient, more accessible and more visible,” stated the team in their paper.
Discovery Laboratory at Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum frankfurt
The newly established Discovery Laboratory at the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt played a crucial role in describing most of the new species. The laboratory offers access to integrative research methods such as light and electron microscopy, confocal imaging, molecular barcoding, and micro-CT scanning. This makes it easier for researchers to produce high-quality data necessary for robust species descriptions.
the animals studied in this project come from ocean depths ranging from 1 to over 6,000 meters. The deepest-living animal explored by the team was Veleropilina gretchenae – a new species of mollusk recovered from the Aleutian Trench at a depth of 6,465 meters.It is indeed one of the first species in its class (Monoplacophora) to have its high-quality genome published directly from the holotype specimen.
With the help of the Discovery Laboratory, researchers were able to describe a diverse range of species from various ocean depths.This includes Veleropilina gretchenae, which was found at a depth of over six kilometers in the Aleutian Trench.
Conclusion
The Ocean Species Discoveries initiative is an importent step towards accelerating the process of describing new marine species. By providing a high-quality publication platform and promoting global collaboration and efficient taxonomic publishing, this project can definitely help prevent species from becoming extinct before they are even known to science.
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The deep sea is home to a vast array of unique and interesting creatures, many of which have yet to be discovered and described. In a recent study published in the journal ZooKeys, researchers from the University of California, Riverside have added three new species to this list – two bivalves and one amphipod.
The first species, Veleropilina gretchenae, was named after Gretchen Lambert, a renowned malacologist who has contributed greatly to our understanding of deep-sea bivalves.This small but strikingly gorgeous bivalve was found at depths between 3,000-4,000 meters in the Gulf of mexico. Its shell is elongated with distinct ridges and patterns that resemble lacework.
The second species described in this study is Myonera aleutiana, a carnivorous bivalve that represents only the second documented case where non-invasive micro-CT scanning has been used for detailed anatomical description. This process generated over 2,000 tomographic images that provided unprecedented clarity on the internal tissues and soft-body parts of this species. It also marks a new depth record for any Myonera individual – it was found at depths between 5,170-5,280 meters.
The third newly described species honours Johanna Rebecca Senckenberg (1716-1743),a naturalist and benefactor who supported science and medicine during her lifetime. The amphipod Apotectonia senckenbergae was discovered in a mussel bed at the Galápagos Rift hydrothermal vent fields at a depth of 2,602 meters.This species is unique in its appearance, with a distinctive popcorn-like shape and intricate patterns on its body.
These three new additions to the deep-sea fauna highlight the importance of continued exploration and research in this largely unexplored environment.With advancements in technology and techniques, we can expect many more exciting discoveries to come.
The Deep Sea: A Treasure Trove of Unique Species
The depths of our oceans hold countless mysteries waiting to be uncovered. In a recent study published in ZooKeys, researchers from the university of California, Riverside have added three new species to the ever-growing list of fascinating creatures found in this largely unexplored environment.
A Tribute to Gretchen Lambert: Veleropilina gretchenae
The first species described in this study was named after renowned malacologist Gretchen Lambert for her contributions to our understanding of deep-sea bivalves. The Veleropilina gretchenae was discovered at depths between 3,000-4,000 meters in the Gulf of mexico and boasts an elongated shell with intricate ridges resembling lacework.
A Carnivorous Bivalve: Myonera aleutiana
The second species documented is the carnivorous bivalve Myonera aleutiana,which represents only the second case where non-invasive micro-CT scanning has been used for detailed anatomical description. This process generated over 2,000 tomographic images that provided unprecedented clarity on its internal tissues and soft-body parts. It also marks a new depth record for any Myonera individual,found at depths between 5,170-5,280 meters.
A Tribute to Johanna Rebecca Senckenberg: Apotectonia senckenbergae
The third newly described species honours Johanna Rebecca Senckenberg (1716-1743), a naturalist and benefactor who supported science and medicine during her lifetime. The amphipod Apotectonia senckenbergae, discovered at a depth of 2,602 meters in the Galápagos Rift hydrothermal vent fields, boasts a distinctive popcorn-like shape with intricate patterns on its body.
The Importance of Continued Exploration and Research
The discovery of these three new species highlights the importance of continued exploration and research in the deep sea. With advancements in technology and techniques, we can expect many more exciting discoveries to come. The deep sea is truly a treasure trove of unique and fascinating creatures waiting to be uncovered.
The inhabitants of the deep sea are known for their unique and curious appearances. One such example is the parasitic isopod Zeaione everta, which has distinct protuberances on the female’s back that resemble popped kernels of popcorn.The genus name, derived from the corn genus Zea, reflects this resemblance. This species, found in the Australian intertidal zone, also represents a newly discovered genus.
In addition to new discoveries,researchers have also shed light on known deep-sea species such as the tusk shell Laevidentalium wiesei. This species has been found at depths of over 5,000 meters and was recently discovered to carry its own secret hitchhiker – a sea anemone attached to its anterior (concave) side. This interaction between two different species within the same genus is a first for Laevidentalium.
Research article:
(SOSA) SOSA et al., Ocean Species Discoveries 13-27 – Taxonomic contributions to the diversity of Polychaeta, Mollusca and Crustacea. Biodiversity Data Journal 13: e160349. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.13.e160349
Wow, nature never ceases to amaze me! 🐠🐙🦑
Sarah: These discoveries are a testament to how much we still have to learn about our oceans. Incredible! 🌊
Ethan: The diversity of marine life never fails to impress! Can’t wait to learn more about these new species. 🌏