All of these organisms are being analyzed, photographed, and preserved so that colleagues and other scientists will have the opportunity to study them.
Since much of the Antarctic deep seafloor has never been studied, collecting samples from this area often presents new information and provides great potential for new discoveries to be made. And since it's not exactly easy to come to Antarctica, samples like these will make it possible for other scientists to study Antarctic seafloor organisms without having to actually come here.
So far we have had the opportunity to observe three different species of fish: a liparid, an icefish, and a rattail. These are all bottom-dwelling fish that have unique characteristics that allow them to live in very cold environments.
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| A species of icefish |
We have also gotten to observe invertebrates like amphipods, isopods, and serolids. These insect-like crustaceans are detritivores, meaning that they serve the very important purpose of eating decaying material on the seafloor.
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| One amphipod we collected measured almost 3 inches long while we collected several other smaller ones. |
Our team also recovered some rocks from the seafloor that had various life forms on them such as worms, bryozoans (moss-like animals), hard corals, and soft corals.
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| A worm nearly two inches long surrounded by bryozoans, a hard coral polyp, and a soft coral. |
And we even found a small, clear jellyfish!
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| Many of the organisms, like this jellyfish, are preserved in ethanol so they can be studied later on. Each jar is labeled well. |
Although none of these organisms are our primary research focus, it is very exciting to physically see a few of the organisms that call the Antarctic deep seafloor their home. And by observing these organisms we are able to pass along information about them to other scientists, as well as to all of our supporters who are following along as we explore the Antarctic seafloor!
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