The mysterious world beneath the waves of the Indian Ocean has yielded a treasure trove of bizarre and newly discovered sea creatures near the Cocos Keeling Islands. A team of scientists from Museums Victoria research institute embarked on an expedition to Australia’s remote Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Park, unearthing a menagerie of unusual marine life, from a sharp-toothed lizard fish to a blind, gelatinous eel that defies convention by giving birth to live young instead of laying eggs.
Over the course of their 35-day, 11,000-kilometer journey, the scientists explored ancient sea mountains and canyons, venturing as far as 5 kilometers below the surface to collect samples and data that would shed light on the hidden mysteries of the deep sea.
Dr. Tim O’Hara, Chief Scientist of the expedition at Museums Victoria Research Institute, expressed, “We have discovered an amazing number of potentially new species living in this remote marine park. We are proud that our maps, data, and images will be used by Parks Australia to manage the new marine park into the future.”So, what otherworldly creatures did the scientists encounter in the depths of the ocean?
1. **High Fin Lizard Fish**: These “voracious deep-sea predators” sport mouths filled with razor-sharp teeth. Notably, this odd-looking creature is a hermaphrodite, possessing both ovaries and testes simultaneously.2. **Sloane’s Viperfish**: Described as “voracious” by Museums Victoria, this fish boasts massive “fangs” and rows of light organs designed to attract prey.3. **Blind Eel**: A previously unknown blind eel with loose, transparent, gelatinous skin was found. Unlike most fish that lay eggs, this eel gives birth to live young.4. **Slender-Snipe Eel**: This eel can reach up to a meter in length but weighs just 50 grams. It features curved jaws lined with hooks to tear apart crustaceans. 5. **Deep-Sea Flatfish**: With eyes on one side of its head, this flatfish has evolved to keep an eye out for predators while resting on the seabed.
6. **Deep-Sea Batfish**: This bemused-looking creature ambles over the seafloor on arm-like fins.
The expedition did not limit itself to marine life discovery. The research vessel (RV) Investigator, operated by CSIRO (Australia’s national science agency), mapped the massive mountain beneath the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in intricate detail. These enormous seamounts formed as colossal volcanoes between 50 and 140 million years ago and have since eroded into the seafloor, hosting a diverse ecosystem of ocean life.Hydrographic Surveyor Nelson Kuna from CSIRO emphasized the significance of this work, stating, “It’s truly an honor to see, for the first time, these stunning features revealed from the deep.” The comprehensive ocean-depth mapping conducted around the Cocos (Keeling) Islands provides invaluable insights into the region’s unique marine environment and supports the management of the new marine park.
