Mindestens 20 neue Arten in kürzlich entdecktem Unterwasser-Ökosystem identifiziert

**From GMA:**

Scientists have identified several new marine species in a pristine underwater ecosystem recently discovered in international waters — and they expect to find more.

Modern technology that allows for deep-water exploration more accurately than ever before made way for the findings of the Nazca Ridge, a new seamount in international waters about 900 miles off the coast of Chile in the Southeastern Pacific, Jyotika Virmani, executive director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, told ABC News.

The underwater mountain is nearly 2 miles tall and supports a thriving deep-sea ecosystem, including a pristine coral garden the size of three tennis courts as well as a sponge garden, Virmani said.

Researchers aboard the Falkor, a state-of-the-art research vessel, used a remotely operated vehicle named SuBastian to collect images and samples during deep sea exploration with much greater accuracy and success than the satellite imagery used in the past to map the sea floor, Virmani said.

Some of the new species discovered include anemones, urchins, corals, some shrimp and a squat lobster, Virmani said.

Fossilized whale bones may also lead to the discovery of a new species of ancient whale, she added.

The expedition also produced the first-ever recording of the rare and enigmatic Promachoteuthis squid.

The pristine ecosystem is so far from any coastline that it appears almost untouched by pollution, Virmani said. The region is a high-priority area for international marine protection and has been earmarked to potentially be one of the first high-seas marine protected areas due to the enormous biodiversity and the unusual geology — as well as the unique physical and chemical characteristics for that part of the world, she said.

**More:** [**https://www.yahoo.com/news/least-20-species-identified-recently-130052814.html?&ncid=100001466**](https://www.yahoo.com/news/least-20-species-identified-recently-130052814.html?&ncid=100001466)