An international team of marine scientists discovered 31 new species during a two-week expedition in the largely unexplored ocean midwater off Brazil. Conducted aboard the Falkor (too) research vessel, the mission focused on the vast habitat between the seafloor and the sunlit surface, which contains about 90% of Earth’s living space.
The discoveries included new species of jellyfish, comb jellies, siphonophores, crustaceans, worms, larvaceans, and giant single-celled organisms. Researchers credited the expedition’s exceptional pace to advanced technologies, including the „Squid“ confocal microscope, which enabled scientists to observe living cells in 3D directly on board, along with genetic analysis and rapid species identification by taxonomic experts.
The findings improve understanding of marine biodiversity, species distribution, and the ocean’s role in the global carbon cycle. According to chief scientist Dr. Karen Osborn, the expedition demonstrates the importance of scientific collaboration and innovative research, emphasising that much of the ocean’s biodiversity remains undiscovered.
