- A new deep-sea octopus species, named Microeledone galapagensis, has been identified from a specimen first spotted off the Galapagos Islands in 2015, according to a new study.
- The palm-sized creature was discovered by researchers aboard the EV Nautilus using a remotely operated robot, approximately 5,800ft below the surface.
- Only one specimen was collected and sent to the Chicago Field Museum for research, posing a challenge for traditional analysis methods.
- Researchers utilised non-destructive CT scans to thoroughly analyse the single specimen and confirm it as a new species.
- According to researchers, the discovery highlights the unexplored nature of the ocean around the Galapagos Islands and the importance of protecting these ecosystems.
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