Deep-sea sponges and other invertebrates in a collection basket during a bottom trawl survey. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Nine Species of Deep-Sea Sponges Discovered in Alaska

9/18/2026 - By fisheries.noaa.gov, fisheries.noaa.gov. Scientists have discovered nine new species of sponges in the Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands. The specimens were collected during the Alaska Fisheries Science Center’s long-standing annual bottom trawl surveys, which monitor the condition of groundfish and shellfish stocks in Alaskan waters. For these sponge studies, researchers… SEE MORE
A zoomed in image of the Antarctic strawberry feather star, formally known as Promachocrinus fragarius. (via Emily McLaughlin, Nerida Wilson and Greg Rouse)

Scientists Discover New, ‘Otherworldly’ Species with 20 Arms in the Antarctic Ocean

11/7/2023 - By ctvnews.ca. Ten rays. Twenty arms. Strawberry-like. That’s how a team of scientists from Australia and the United States have described a new, creepy-looking underwater species they discovered after a series of research expeditions near Antarctica. Emily McLaughlin, Nerida Wilson and Greg Rouse published their findings on the newfound species in… SEE MORE