A 55-day expedition off the coast of Chile has revealed potentially 60 new marine species and unique deep-sea ecosystems. Led by scientists from the Universidad de Valparaíso, the Universidad de Boston and the Universidade de Aveiro, the team explored four previously unmapped submarine canyons and 20 methane seep sites.
Using the ROV SuBastian, researchers observed unique animal behaviors and relationships, such as a sea spider hosting crustaceans on its legs. The expedition also documented a commercial fish, the congrio colorado, thriving in methane seep environments, a behavior rarely observed.
The discovery of these ecosystems is crucial, as they play a vital role in preventing methane from reaching the atmosphere. The team's findings provide essential data for future conservation efforts in this unexplored region.