Whitman researchers capture video of new deep-sea species
WALLA WALLA – A small team of Whitman College ocean researchers is basking in the light of a new discovery from the dark sea floor.
“It is very significant because it is the deepest fish found,” said marine biologist and professor Paul Yancey, noting that the Whitman College research team was just one of several teams from colleges and universities around the globe who took part in a Schmidt Ocean Institute study of the Mariana Trench off Guam.
Earlier this month, those teams returned from a one-month voyage aboard the Falkor research vessel. And after returning, the first videos and photos of their discovery were posted online and picked up by numerous media and science websites.
In addition to obtaining a video recording of the deepest-dwelling fish, seen swimming at 26,872 feet below sea level, that fish also turned out to be a new species.
This discovery is being described by the media with words like “ethereal” and “ghostlike” and even “angelic.”
Probably the most accurate description is “diaphanous” because of its white translucent and delicate oversized fins that look like angel wings.
“It looks different from other deep fish found and I think what it points out is how little we know about the deep sea,” Yancey said.
Seven weeks ago, Yancey set off on his expedition, accompanied by two current Whitman students and one Whitman graduate, with the goal of researching the famous trench like it had never been investigated before.
“In the past, (researchers) only went to the deepest part. So that is pretty limiting, and you don’t get a full idea of what is living down there,” Yancey said.
Instead of plunking an underwater camera down to the deepest depths and waiting for something to come by to eat the mackerel used for bait, Yancey’s team did a series of tests and video recordings starting at 15,000 feet and at intervals of every 3,000 feet downward.
Mud samples also were taken, and mackerel was used to lure the expected amphipods and snailfish in front of the camera.
“The only fish you get down at those depths are something you call a snailfish,” Yancey said. “They swim around and look like a tadpole.”
The team wasn’t expecting to find the beautiful new species of snailfish 5 miles down.
“We don’t know what to name the new species because we didn’t catch it,” said Yancey, explaining they need to catch one and bring it to the surface so they can determine its genetic makeup.
Yancey added he hopes to return to the Mariana Trench next year with a submersible.