From Rare Jellyfish to Whale Fall: Discoveries in Argentina’s Deep Waters
A hush fell over the control room aboard the research vessel Falkor (too) in late December as monitors revealed a pale shape drifting through the dark Atlantic waters off Argentina. About 820 feet below the surface, a rare jellyfish known as the giant phantom jelly, Stygiomedusa gigantea, extended its massive tentacles, stretching roughly the length of a school bus.
Unlike most jellyfish, this species does not sting its prey. Instead, it feeds using four long, ribbonlike arms that trail beneath its bell, sweeping up plankton and small fish and guiding them toward its mouth. The sighting was remarkable given the species’ rarity. Since the first specimen was collected in 1899, scientists have documented only about 120 encounters worldwide, mostly already dead jellyfish washed ashore or caught in fishing nets. Using the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SuBastian, researchers were finally able to observe the animal alive “in its natural habitat and in its full glory.”
The expedition yielded additional discoveries. The team mapped cold seeps, where methane and other chemicals escape from cracks in the seafloor. Microorganisms feed on those chemicals, supporting ecosystems of clams, mussels, and other deep-sea organisms. Scientists also documented the largest known reef of Bathelia candida coral, spanning an area nearly the size of Vatican City and located farther south than expected.
Then came another jaw dropper. Researchers recorded Argentina’s first deep-water whale fall, capturing footage of a whale carcass resting nearly 12,800 feet below the surface. It is a resource that will sustain scavengers, worms, and microbes for years to come.
And yes, the researchers also found human traces. The ROV spotted trash on the seafloor, including a surprisingly intact VHS tape bearing a Korean label.
May For The Teen Times teen/1773020990/1613367687
1. What rare jellyfish was seen off the coast of Argentina?
2. Where did monitors reveal a pale shape drifting below surface?
3. How does the phantom jelly guide its prey toward mouth?
4. Who used an ROV to observe the animal alive today?
1. Why are scientists excited to see rare animals in nature?
2. How can organisms survive without any sunlight in deep oceans?
3. Is it surprising to find human trash in deep oceans?
4. What can a whale carcass teach us about deep ecosystems?
A hush fell over the control room aboard the research vessel Falkor (too) in late December as monitors revealed a pale shape drifting through the dark Atlantic waters off Argentina. About 820 feet below the surface, a rare jellyfish known as the giant phantom jelly, Stygiomedusa gigantea, extended its massive tentacles, stretching roughly the length of a school bus.
