Dozens of new deep-sea species found off Argentina

Marine biologists examining collections from the Mar del Plata Canyon off the Argentine coast have uncovered 57 animal species previously unknown to modern science. The biological bounty also features five brand new genera, gathered during an oceanographic initiative organized by the Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census. Among the discoveries is a peculiar sea cucumber bearing two horn-shaped structures, which researchers dubbed Loki after the Norse deity, recovered from a depth exceeding 2,500 meters.

The specimens were primarily collected during a 2025 voyage of the vessel Falkor (too). Using the robotic submersible SuBastian, the expedition broadcast underwater footage live to millions of online viewers. While an orange sea star bearing a resemblance to the fictional character Patrick Star drew widespread public attention, researchers determined that creature was already an established species and left it undisturbed on the seabed.

In July 2026, twenty taxonomic specialists convened in Buenos Aires to examine the preserved marine specimens. Their work identified 22 echinoderms such as feather stars, 20 copepods, 14 octocorals alongside sea pens, and a mollusk dwelling within a tusk-like shell. Experts noted that two of the coral varieties might represent new genera, and one could potentially belong to an entirely novel family pending further genetic testing.

The biological wealth of the canyon stems from colliding oceanic currents. Cold, nutrient-packed waters flowing from the south meet a warmer stream travelling southward, sparking abundant biological productivity in depths that plunge beyond 3,500 meters. The documented copepods highlighted the habitat's vast potential, as researchers examined merely a tenth of their haul and discovered that every single examined individual represented a novel species.

Despite the remote setting roughly 250 kilometers offshore, researchers observed signs of human pollution throughout their survey dives. The team cataloged nearly thirty pieces of synthetic refuse, including a tangled plastic sack and packaging resting deeper than 3,800 meters. Much of the debris appeared to originate from maritime fishing operations, with several local organisms already attaching themselves to the discarded materials.

All gathered specimens are set to remain in national repositories in Argentina, such as the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences in the capital. Daniel Lauretta, the scientist who directed the initial offshore work, highlighted that collaborative international taxonomy remains vital for examining understudied organisms. His team intends to explore another neighboring submarine canyon in early 2027 alongside the Schmidt Ocean Institute.