Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 18:00, 22 December 2024

This article, Dulcibella, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary. Reviewer tools: Inform author

Dulcibella Camanchaca is a newly discovered species of amphipod crustacean from the Atacama Trench, located nearly 8,000 meters beneath the South Pacific Ocean near Chile. This predatory species, measuring approximately 4 centimeters in length, is adapted to survive in the extreme conditions of the hadal zone, making it one of the deepest-dwelling predators ever identified.

Taxonomy

The species belongs to the genus Dulcibella within the family Eusiridae. It was formally described in 2024 by researchers Dr. Johanna Weston and Dr. Carolina González. The name Dulcibella was inspired by Dulcinea, a character from Don Quixote, following a tradition of naming amphipod genera after literary figures. The specific epithet camanchaca references the Andean word for "darkness," highlighting its habitat in the pitch-black depths of the trench.

Scientific Classification:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Subphylum: Crustacea
• Class: Malacostraca
• Order: Amphipoda
• Suborder: Amphilochidea
• Superfamily: Eusiroidea
• Family: Eusiridae
• Genus: Dulcibella
• Species: D. camanchaca

Discovery

Dulcibella camanchaca was discovered during an oceanographic expedition in 2023, which explored the biodiversity of the Atacama Trench. Researchers utilized deep-sea exploration equipment to reach depths of nearly 8,000 meters, a region as deep as the height of Mount Everest. The discovery emphasized the trench’s status as a biodiversity hotspot with a high rate of endemic species.

The species was identified through a combination of DNA sequencing and morphological analysis, both of which confirmed it as a new genus and species.

Morphology and Behavior

At 4 centimeters in length, Dulcibella camanchaca is notably larger than most amphipods. It is a fast-swimming predator equipped with raptorial appendages, specialized for capturing, killing, and consuming prey. Its diet primarily consists of smaller amphipods, which it efficiently immobilizes with these appendages.

The discovery of a predator at such extreme depths marks a significant milestone in the study of deep-sea ecosystems.

Significance

The discovery of Dulcibella camanchaca underscores the importance of deep-sea exploration, particularly in underexplored regions like the Atacama Trench. According to Dr. González, the finding highlights the trench’s unique biodiversity and the need for continued scientific investigations to uncover further unknown species.

References

1. ^ 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). doi:10.1080/14772000.2024.2416430. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
2. Sammi Caramela (18 December 2024). "Deep-Sea Predator Built for Killing Discovered 8,000 Meters Underwater". VICE News.
3. "Researchers discover new ocean predator in the Atacama Trench". MSN.
4. Alex Mitchell (17 December 2024). "Deep-sea predator discovered with a body made for 'capturing, killing and feasting', scientists say". New York Post.
5. "Mysterious 'Alien-Like' Creature Discovered By Scientists In Deep Ocean, Revealing Unexplored Marine World". Jagran English.
6. ""Alien-like' predator found by scientists in ocean depths, named 'darkness' | The amphipod was found in the Atacama Trench". Inshorts.
7. Amanda Grzimel. "Deep-sea discovery: New predator species found in Atacama trench". MSN.
8. "Darkness unveiled: Fierce alien-like predator emerges from Earth's deepest depths". MSN.
9. Jess Thomson (10 December 2024). "Eerie 'Darkness' Predator Discovered in Deep Ocean". Newsweek.
10. Mark Kaufman (17 December 2024). "26,000 feet undersea, scientists find a ghostly predator". Mashable.
11. Mrigakshi Dixit (11 December 2024). "Atacama Trench's terrifying new resident survives at extreme 25,900 feet". Interesting Engineering.
12. Divya Dhingra (17 December 2024). "Scientists Discover Alien-Like Predator in the Ocean's Depths, Call It 'Darkness'". The Tech Outlook.
13. "Scientists discover new 'miniature' predator on seabed". WSN. 22 December 2024.
14. "Scientists caught unknown marine predator". RBC Ukraine. 13 December 2024.
15. Maya Edwards (15 December 2024). "Unbelievable Deep-Sea Discovery! Meet the Alien-Like Predator that Defies Expectations!". www.scimag.news.
16. Dr. Emma Lee (12 December 2024). "Unveiling Darkness: Alien Predator Found in Ocean Depths Shocks Scientists Worldwide!". Faharas Net.
17. "Creepy crustacean: Meet the deep sea predator named 'darkness'". Oceanographic Magazine. 12 December 2024.
18. "Chile's Deep-Sea Discovery: A Predator in the Abyss". Latin American Post. 17 December 2024.
19. Tommy (10 December 2024). "Newly Discovered Predator Thrives in the World's Most Unforgiving Ocean Depths". Optic Flux.
20. Russel McLendon (12 December 2024). "Scientists Discover New Deep-Sea Predator, Name It 'Darkness'". ScienceAlert.

• Pending AfC submissions
• Pending AfC submissions in article space
• AfC submissions by date/22 December 2024