Robots in the Abyss: 30 years of research on the abyssal plain provides clues to climate change MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2024-10-18 | Robots in the Abyss: 30 years of research on the abyssal plain provides clues to climate change
Deep-sea animals help buffer impacts of climate change with their unexpected feasts MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-11-22 | Animals in the deep ocean enjoy feasting as much as we do, but in the vastness of the deep sea food can be scarce. Animals must take advantage of any potential meal that comes their way. Sea cucumbers are often seen devouring what looks like blobs of goo on the seafloor. Many deep-sea animals rely on organic material falling from the surface. Large accumulations of mucus, or sinkers, are a significant source of food in the deep. Sinkers are cast-off feeding nets made by midwater organisms, like larvaceans. When the nets are discarded and start to sink, they begin to collect small animals, food particles, and fecal matter. They become increasingly compact as they descend. This mobile food source makes an easy target for hungry animals. The sinkers that reach the seafloor provide a fresh–and vital–feast for animals living on and in the sediment. By scavenging on the deposited mucus, deep-sea animals capture carbon. This process, known as the biological pump, transfers carbon dioxide from the surface to the deep sea. As the organic material is eaten, carbon that was once in the atmosphere becomes locked away in the deep sea.The role of animals in buffering impacts of climate change is something for which we can all be thankful for. However this climate service comes at a cost and we are still learning how increasing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is altering these deep-sea communities over time. This is one reason why we must act to reduce carbon emissions quickly. Our health depends on a healthy ocean.Producer/editor/writer: Larissa LemonProduction team: Larissa Lemon, Heidi Cullen, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von ThunMusic: Deep Oceans by Dany Vln (Motion Array)MBARI references:Lemon, Larissa M., Kenneth L. Smith Jr, and Christine L. Huffard. "Abyssal epibenthic holothurians respond differently to food quantity and concentration fluctuations over a decade of daily observation (2007–2017)." Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers 188 (2022): 103853.Robison, Bruce H., Kim R. Reisenbichler, and Rob E. Sherlock. "Giant larvacean houses: Rapid carbon transport to the deep sea floor." Science 308, no. 5728 (2005): 1609-1611.Smith Jr, Kenneth L., Alana D. Sherman, Paul R. McGill, Rich G. Henthorn, John Ferreira, and Christine L. Huffard. "Evolution of monitoring an abyssal time-series station in the northeast Pacific over 28 years." Oceanography 30, no. 4 (2017): 72-81.Video Production:Editor: Larissa LemonWriter: Larissa LemonProduction team: Larissa Lemon, Heidi Cullen, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von ThunMusic: Deep Oceans by Dany Vln (Motion Array)Follow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_News Instagram: instagram.com/mbari_news Tumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mbari-monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-580a24169And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
A pretty pink color offers clever camouflage for the abyssal comb jelly MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-11-15 | The abyssal comb jelly (Beroe abyssicola) patrols the midnight zone searching for its favorite food—other comb jellies. But this predator prowls in dark depths, where most animals can produce bioluminescence. A glowing gut would invite the attention of other predators. The crimson color of this comb jelly’s stomach absorbs the light produced by bioluminescent prey.MBARI researchers have learned that gelatinous animals like Beroe have a large impact on deep-sea food webs. Our archive of nearly 28,000 hours of deep-sea video contains hundreds of observations of deep-sea animals feeding. Examining these observations in detail revealed that jellies, comb jellies, and siphonophores are important as both predators and prey in the ocean’s midnight zone. Learn more in our Creature feature: mbari.org/products/creature-feature/abyssal-comb-jellyCommon name: abyssal comb jellyScientific name: Beroe abyssicolaReported depth range: surface to 2,800 meters (9,200 feet)Size: 7 centimeters (almost 3 inches)Editor: Ted BlancoScript writer: Raúl NavaProduction team: Larissa Lemon, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von ThunFor more information see:Choy, C.A., S.H.D. Haddock, and B.H. Robison (2017). Deep pelagic food web structure as revealed by in situ feeding observations. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 284: 20172116. doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.2116Follow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_News Instagram: instagram.com/mbari_news Tumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbariAnd now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
Construction of MBARI’s new flagship research vessel reaches major milestone MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-11-08 | Last fall, MBARI kicked off construction on our new state-of-the-art research vessel. Named for MBARI’s founder, the R/V David Packard is being built at Freire Shipyard in Vigo, Spain. Work on the new ship reached a major milestone last month as shipbuilders launched the vessel into the water to begin its next phase of construction.Much work still remains on the project. Next, the Freire team will begin outfitting the ship’s interior, transitioning their focus to the vessel’s internal science and engineering systems. Construction will be complete in summer 2023, then the vessel will sail from Freire’s shipyard in Spain to MBARI’s research facilities in Moss Landing, California. MBARI will begin science operations in late 2023.Learn more: www.mbari.org/new-ship-launchVideo producer/editor: Kyra SchliningProduction team: Raúl Nava, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von ThunMusic: A Future of Progress - Manos Apostolopoulos (Pond5)Drone footage and time-lapse photos courtesy of Freire Shipyard
Ink impostors: Out of the darkness of the deep, ghostly clouds take shape MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-10-25 | Out of the darkness of the deep, ghostly clouds take shape. What are these mysterious apparitions? When spooked by a predator, a squid may quickly escape, leaving behind a shroud of ink. This decoy distracts so the squid can jet to safety. Their ink shapes take on many forms—clouds, streams, dots, ropes, and more. These animal-look-alike shapes are known as pseudomorphs. We don’t know whether the squids are mimicking other animals, but here are some of our favorite pseudomorphs. As we explore the ocean, we continue to learn more about the animals in the mysterious midnight waters far below.Animals in pseudomorph clips, in order of appearance:01:06 Red-lipped comb jelly, Bathyctena chuni 01:13 Woolly siphonophore, Apolemia lanosa01:24 Top hat jelly, Leuckartiara sp.01:31 Red-grooved siphonophore, Apolemia rubriversa01:37 Tower jelly, Neoturris sp.01:45 Black-eyed squid, Gonatus onyx01:52 Rocketship siphonophore, Chuniphyes multidentata01:58 Cockatoo squid, Taonius sp.More on squid ink: youtu.be/_Q4H-BB7CXIMore cephalopod videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8y7x0SoYxpe1pLjI8STAepK7dj6FEn0lMore deep-sea animal Halloween videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8y7x0SoYxpfZgtCEVwp37cvCDCEsCVBEVideo producer/editor: Kristine Walz Music: Scary Forest by HookSounds Originals from HookSounds.comProduction team: Raúl Nava, Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun
Take a meditative moment and gaze into the eyes of the deep-sea rattail fish MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-10-12 | Meditate for a moment by gazing into the mesmerizing eyes of the deep-sea rattail fish. Rattails, or macrourids, are common throughout the world’s ocean. They are characterized by a distinctive large head and whip-like tail that tapers to a point. Big blue eyes give the rattail an edge at finding food in deep dark waters. Their keen eyesight reveals prey, like fishes and squid, darting just above the seafloor. There are over 1,000 species of rattails found worldwide, although MBARI has recorded less than 20 species during our numerous expeditions. Macrourid species are difficult to distinguish on video, so researchers often use species complexes to describe similarly-looking species. MBARI’s Video Annotation and Reference System (VARS), a software system for documenting deep-sea observations, is used to annotate all video recorded with our remotely operated vehicles. As of 2022, the VARS database contains more than eight million video annotations and includes thousands of deep-sea species. MBARI’s remotely operated vehicles continue to reveal astonishing animals, habitats, and behaviors. Building a baseline understanding of the deep sea is critical for determining how climate change, pollution, and mining will affect the largest living space on Earth.More about these fascinating fish: mbari.co/RattailFishMore about MBARI’s Video Annotation and Reference System: mbari.org/products/research-software/video-annotation-and-reference-system-varsAnimals in order of appearance: 00:00 Coryphaenoides acrolepis-filifer complex | 1,146 meters (3,759 feet) | Monterey Canyon00:14 Albatrossia pectoralis | 2,117 meters (6,946 feet) | Pacific Northwest00:37 Coryphaenoides acrolepis-filifer complex | 2,700 meters (8,858 feet) | Monterey Canyon01:04 Coryphaenoides acrolepis-filifer complex | 1,214 meters (3,982 feet) | Greater Monterey Bay01:15 Coryphaenoides acrolepis-filifer complex | 1,371 meters (4,498 feet) | Monterey Canyon01:27 Macrouridae sp. | 471 meters (1,545 feet) | Monterey Canyon01:55 Coryphaenoides armatus-yaquinae complex | 3,961 meters (12,995 feet) | Station M (291 kilometers (181 miles) off the coast of Santa Barbara, California)02:07 Coryphaenoides acrolepis-filifer complex | 1,068 (3,504 feet) | Monterey Canyon02:19 Coryphaenoides acrolepis-filifer complex | 1,254 meters (4,111 feet) | Sur Ridge (60 kilometers (37 miles) off the coast of Monterey, CA) 02:25 Coryphaenoides armatus-yaquinae complex | 1,306 meters (4,285 feet) | Sur Ridge02:38 Coryphaenoides acrolepis-filifer complex | 2,041 meters (7,024 feet) | Monterey Canyon03:15 Coryphenoides leptolepis | 3,169 meters (10,397 feet) | Gulf of California, Mexico03:28 Coryphaenoides filifer | 1,830 meters (6,003 feet) | Monterey Canyon04:01 Coryphaenoides armatus | 2,845 meters (9,333 feet) | Monterey Canyon04:22 Coryphaenoides armatus | 2,845 meters (9,333 feet) | Monterey Canyon04:52 Coryphaenoides armatus-yaquinae | 3,966 meters (13,011 feet) | Station M05:04 Coryphaenoides acrolepis | 1,254 meters (4,114 feet) | Sur Ridge05:13 Macrouridae sp. | 501 meters (1,644 feet) | Monterey Canyon05:37 Coryphaenoides armatus-yaquinae complex with parasitic copepod (Order Poecilostomatoida) | 3,965 meters (13,008 feet) | Station M05:47 Coryphaenoides acrolepis-filifer complex | 2,383 meters (7,818 feet) | Monterey Canyon06:00 Coryphaenoides armatus-yaquinae complex | 2,816 meters (9,239 feet) Pacific Northwest06:11 Coryphaenoides acrolepis-filifer complex | 1,372 meters (4,501 feet) | Monterey CanyonVideo producer/editor: Larissa LemonMusic: Aura of Nature by Markery (Motion Array)Production team: Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von Thun
Deep-sea catsharks are the largest family of living sharks MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-09-27 | Deep-sea catsharks are the largest family of living sharks, with more than 90 species. Catsharks were named for their long, cat-like eyes that are specialized for seeing in low light conditions. MBARI has observed several deep-sea catshark species, for example, the brown catshark (Apristurus brunneus), longnose catshark (Apristurus kampae), lollipop catshark (Cephalurus cephalus), and filetail catshark (Parmaturus xaniurus). Most catsharks lay elaborate clusters of egg cases. The eggs can take up to two years to develop. Tough egg cases made of keratin protect the developing embryos from predators. A changing ocean means an uncertain future for catsharks. Warming waters could affect developing embryos, and expanding low-oxygen zones could displace adult populations.Common name: CatsharksScientific name: Family Pentanchidae Reported depth range: 30 meters-2,200 meters (100-7,200 feet)Size: to 90 centimeters (3 feet)Editor: Ted BlancoWriter: Megan BassettProduction team: Larissa Lemon, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von ThunFollow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_News Instagram: instagram.com/mbari_news Tumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mbari-monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-580a24169And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
Ocean technology competition inspires the next generation of STEM leaders MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-09-14 | The Global Ocean Biogeochemistry (GO-BGC) Array is building a network of chemical and biological sensors that will monitor ocean health from pole to pole. Building on the Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) program which deployed hundreds of robotic floats with biogeochemical sensors in the Southern Ocean, this game-changing technology is transforming how oceanographers and climate scientists observe and understand our changing ocean. The MATE ROV Competition uses underwater robots to inspire and challenge students to learn and creatively apply science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to solve real-world problems and strengthen their critical thinking, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and innovation. As part of the GO-BGC outreach efforts, the MATE ROV Competition offered a MATE Floats! “satellite” challenge. In this challenge, teams of students in grades 4–16 are tasked with building a float that uses active ballasting to descend to depth and back to the surface.At the 2022 Monterey Bay Regional MATE ROV Competition, students showcased their floats and learned about the challenges of developing, building, and deploying ocean science technology. This program inspires students to explore STEM fields and many of them go on to become the engineers and scientists that are building the next generation of ocean technology. In 2022, the MATE ROV Competition is highlighting the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and inspiring our global community to embrace environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts to create a sustainable future on our ocean planet. The MATE ROV Competition was created by The Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center, a national partnership of organizations working to improve marine technical education and in this way help to prepare America’s future workforce for ocean occupations. Learn more about SOCCOM: https://soccom.princeton.edu/ Learn more about GO-BGC: go-bgc.org Learn more about the MATE Float Challenge: go-bgc.org/outreach/mate and the MATE ROV Competition: materovcompetition.orgVideo producers: Madison Pobis and Madeline GoProduction team: Heidi Cullen, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von Thun Music: Conceptual SolutionsGOB-BGC is Supported by the National Science Foundation Awards 1946578 and 2110258SOCCOM is supported by the National Science Foundation Awards PLR 1425989 and OPP 1936222.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Deep Sea: Friend, foe, or frenemy? MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-08-30 | The deep sea may seem like a lonely place, but as we explore its depths, we often see animals interacting with each other. One remarkable behavior is when denizens of the deep hitch a ride on one another. These interactions, known as symbiosis, can be friendly and not-so-friendly. In different types of symbiosis, mutualism is when both animals benefit, while commensalism is when one benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped. But when a parasite eats its host, it’s definitely not a harmonious alliance. Whether the animal is hitchhiking to move around, hiding from predators, or just finding a better home, these connections help life in the deep thrive. Just like our lives on land, connections are critical for deep-sea communities. Friends, foes, or frenemies, these neighbors have dynamic relationships that make the deep sea a very interesting place!Animals in order of appearance: 00:00 Isopod (Anuropus) on a deep-sea jelly (Deepstaria) | 811 meters (2,660 feet)00:11 Sea spider (Pycnogonida) on a red paper lantern jelly (Pandea rubra) | 716 meters (2,349 feet)00:21 Amphipods (Hyperiidea) on salp chain (Salpida) | 268 meters (938 feet)00:29 Medusafish (Icichthys lockingtoni) and egg-yolk jelly (Phacellophora camtschatica) | 62 meters (203 feet)00:40 Pacific goosench barnacles (Alepas pacifica) attached to an egg-yolk jelly (Phacellophora camtschatica) | 824 meters (2,703 feet)00:50 Juvenile king crabs (Neolithodes) on a sea pig (Scotoplanes) | 1,285 meters (4,216 feet)00:59 Amphipods (Amphipoda) on a sea spider (Colossendeis) | clip 1: 3,096 meters (10,157 feet), clip 2: 3,251 meters (10,666 feet)01:14 Anemone (Actiniaria) on a sea snail (Neptunea) | 1,341 meters (4,400 feet)01:22 Lamprey (Cephalaspidomorphi) on a hake (Merluccius productus) | 490 meters (1,608 feet)01:28 Anemones (Actiniaria) on a grooved Tanner crab (Chionoecetes tanneri) | 600 meters (1,969 feet)01:36 Sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea) on sea urchin (Cystocrepis setigera) | 3,961 meters (12,995 feet)01:46 Snailfish (Careproctus) on a grooved Tanner crab (Chionoecetes tanneri) | clip 1: 880 meters (2,887 feet), clip 2: 910 meters (2,986 feet)01:57 Amphipod (Hyperiidea) burrowing in a dinner plate jelly (Solmissus) | 506 meters (1,660 feet)02.05 Baby jelly polyp (Cnidaria) on a cross jelly (Mitrocoma cellularia) | 329 meters (1,079 feet)02:11 Amphipod (Hyperiidae) in a deep-sea jelly (Calycopsis simulans) | 365 meters (1,198 feet)Video producer/editor: Kristine WalzMusic: Sci Fi (BenSound: bensound.com) Production team: Raúl Nava, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von Thun
Autonomous robotic floats measure the seasonal cycles of the oceans breath MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-08-09 | Just like land, the ocean has seasons. There are seasons when things grow and seasons when things decay. We know this thanks to hundreds of robotic floats equipped with oxygen sensors collecting data about ocean health and transmitting it back to scientists on shore. These floats are part of an international research program called Argo. Each dot represents one float. The color of the dots represents the “percent oxygen saturation”–an indicator of photosynthetic microorganism growth and decay. When the dot is green, it means these microorganisms are growing and releasing oxygen into the water. When the dot is brown, it means the tiny ocean phytoplankton are decaying and using up the oxygen around them. This seasonal cycle is just like when flowers bloom in the spring and trees drop their leaves in the fall in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, the timing is flipped. Our ocean is the big blue heart of Earth’s climate system and it has buffered us from the worst impacts of climate change, soaking up more than 90% of the excess heat and about a quarter of the excess carbon dioxide produced by human activities, like burning fossil fuels. All that extra work comes at a cost to ocean health. Climate change is making our ocean warmer, more acid and oxygen levels are going down. That’s why the real-time information collected by these biogeochemical floats is so important. It’s helping scientists better understand, predict, and mitigate the impacts of climate change, helping us work to improve ocean health. Learn more about the SOCCOM project: https://soccom.princeton.edu/Learn more about the Global Ocean Biogeochemistry (GO-BGC) Array: go-bgc.orgAnimation: David FiersteinVideo editor: Ted BlancoVoice over: Heidi CullenSOCCOM is supported by the National Science Foundation Awards PLR 1425989 and OPP 1936222 GOB-BGC is Supported by the National Science Foundation Awards 1946578 and 2110258
MBARI’s next research vessel is a new beginning for ocean exploration MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-08-03 | MBARI is beginning the next chapter in our work with the construction of a new research vessel named after our founder, David Packard. For over three decades, MBARI research has revealed the astounding diversity of life deep beneath the surface, and the institute’s technology innovations have provided priceless insights into the ocean’s geological, ecological, and biogeochemical processes. The new research ship will enable continued exploration of the deep sea, from the midnight zone—the inky depths below 1,000 meters (about 3,300 feet)—to the abyssal seafloor 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) deep. As the command center for the remotely operated vehicle Doc Ricketts, the David Packard will allow researchers to continue exploring the deepest reaches of the Monterey Canyon and beyond. The new ship will also be capable of deploying a variety of autonomous underwater vehicles. These robots can conduct visual and acoustic surveys, sample seawater, and map the seafloor. The ship will be 50 meters (164 feet) long and 12.8 meters (42 feet) wide with a draft of 3.7 meters (12 feet). It will support an operations crew of 12 and a science crew of 18. We are looking forward to welcoming the R/V David Packard into our fleet in late 2023. Learn more about the new vessel: mbari.co/MBARINewShipThe images and videos of the R/V David Packard shown here are an artist’s rendition and may not represent the vessel’s final build. Thanks to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for the use of their ROV and AUV models.Script/Narration/Animation/Editing: Dylan Hyun, MBARI Science Communication InternProduction team: Heidi Cullen, Dylan Hyun, Raúl Nava, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von Thun Follow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_News Instagram: instagram.com/mbari_news Tumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbariAnd now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
Weird and Wonderful: This little siphonophore has a big impact on deep-sea food webs MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-07-19 | Siphonophores (pronounced “sigh-fawn-oh-fours”) are delicate drifters made up of specialized segments that work together as one. These animals are like living commuter trains. Pulsing bells up front pull a long chain of segments specialized for feeding, defense, and reproduction. Siphonophores are deadly beauties—they cast a net of tentacles to snare prey and are important predators in ocean ecosystems. In Monterey Bay, the common siphonophore (Nanomia bijuga) is one of the principal predators of krill. At times, this species can be quite abundant. Combined, the numerous Nanomia eat more krill than all the whales that gather to feast in the bay’s fertile waters.This small siphonophore—only about 30 centimeters (12 inches) long—is a sit-and-wait predator. It casts stinging tentacles that are lined with knobby tips. Those bumpy bits resemble tiny shrimp-like creatures, making tasty bait for hungry plankton. But Nanomia is not a very patient predator. If nothing comes along in a few minutes, it retracts its tentacles and swims to another spot to try again. Learn more at MBARI’s Creature feature: mbari.org/products/creature-feature/common-siphonophoreScientific name: Nanomia bijugaSize: Maximum length: 30 centimeters (12 inches)Depth: Observed depth: 50–600 meters (164–1,970 feet)Editor: Ted BlancoWriter: Kyra SchliningProduction team: Larissa Lemon, Raúl Nava, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von Thun References:Burford, B.P., Robison, B.H., and R.E. Sherlock (2014). Behaviour and mimicry in the juvenile and subadult life stages of the mesopelagic squid Chiroteuthis calyx. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. pp. 1-15. doi.org/10.1017/S0025315414001763: cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-marine-biological-association-of-the-united-kingdom/article/abs/behaviour-and-mimicry-in-the-juvenile-and-subadult-life-stages-of-the-mesopelagic-squid-chiroteuthis-calyx/4567C3AD896CC2CF5DA7A9B3F7FDA360
Deep-sea squid mom carries eggs to keep them safe from predators MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-07-06 | During a recent deep-sea dive, MBARI researchers encountered this incredibly rare sight—a deep-sea squid (Bathyteuthis sp.) grasping hundreds of eggs in her arms. This squid mom was spotted at 1,390 meters (4,560 feet) deep more than 90 kilometers (56 miles) offshore of MBARI’s facilities in Moss Landing, CA. The stunning ultra high-definition resolution 4K video from the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Doc Ricketts allows researchers to examine the pelagic parent in astounding detail. Most squids reproduce by depositing egg cases on the seafloor or releasing eggs in a gelatinous mass that drifts in open water. While exploring the depths of Monterey Bay in 2005, MBARI researchers first encountered a female Bathyteuthis sp. carrying a sheet of eggs in her arms. Scientists think these nurturing mothers will carry the eggs until they hatch to improve their babies’ chances for survival. Brooding is common among bottom-dwelling octopuses, but we’ve only observed this behavior in three squid species. Researchers suspect other deep-dwelling squids may also turn out to be brooders. This is only the second time we’ve spotted a brooding Bathyteuthis sp. since that first sighting over 17 years ago! The deep ocean is challenging to study and we only get brief glimpses into the behaviors of deep-sea animals. MBARI’s archive of thousands of hours of underwater video has helped illuminate life in the largest living space on Earth. MBARI researchers can document remarkable new species and learn how these animals feed, escape predators, and reproduce. Each observation logged by our ROVs provides another piece of the puzzle and helps improve our understanding of life in the deep. Learn more in MBARI’s Creature feature: mbari.org/products/creature-feature/deep-sea-squidLearn more about pelagic parenting: youtu.be/Y6Rd1xVQ-o4Publication: Bush, S.L., H.J.T. Hoving,, C.L. Huffard, B.R. Robison, and L.D. Zeidberg (2012). Brooding and sperm storage by the deep-sea squid Bathyteuthis berryi (Cephalopoda: Decapodiformes). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 92(7): 1629-1636. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315411002165Video producer/editor: Kyra Schlining Production team: Raúl Nava, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von ThunMusic: Girl That I Dream About by BigFish (Motion Array)
This deep-sea spaghetti worm has a bountiful bundle of tentacles MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-07-01 | During one of MBARI’s expeditions to Mexico’s Gulf of California, researchers observed what looked like small pom-poms lying on the seafloor. These mystery masses turned out to be a spectacular spaghetti worm: Biremis. This shaggy species was previously known solely from the Bahamas. Upon further examination and DNA testing by our expert collaborators at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, we realized we had encountered a new species of Biremis.Biremis has no eyes, no gills, and lacks obvious chaetae along its body segments. It’s also unusual because its tentacles are inflated giving it the pom-pom appearance that caught the researchers’ attention. The Gulf of California species is deep-dwelling, with the majority of our observations deeper than 2,000 meters (6,600 feet).Spaghetti worms are a type of polychaete worm grouped in the family Terebellidae. This family of worms is found worldwide. Scientists have described about 400 different species of terebellid worms. They’re relatively common and characteristically have numerous grooved tentacles for feeding. Like other terebellids, Biremis lives on the ocean bottom, but while most live in a tube or burrow, this species has been observed resting on the seafloor or swimming just above it. Swimming freely allows the worm to easily move around and find new places to feed. Biremis uses its bountiful bundle of non-retractile tentacles to harvest particles of marine snow that have settled on the seafloor. If you look closely at the video, you can see the trail the animal has made in the mud.On International Polychaete Day, July 1st, we celebrate the remarkable diversity of polychaete worms. Scientists have discovered and named more than 12,000 living species of polychaetes and no doubt many more await discovery in the ocean’s mysterious depths. The ocean faces many threats, such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change. These threats extend to the waters deep beneath the surface too. Because we know so little about the deep ocean, MBARI's efforts to document the diversity of life in this realm are laying the foundation to understand how these threats will affect deep-sea communities.Video producer/editor: Kyra SchliningMusic: Calm Life Flow by Nargo Music (Motion Array)Production team: Raúl Nava, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von ThunScience consultant: Greg Rouse, Scripps Institution of OceanographyVideo source: R/V Doc Ricketts dive #393; 4/23/2012 (2,378 meters or 7,800 feet)
A global array of robotic floats is transforming how scientists observe ocean health MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-06-22 | The GO-BGC Array is a 5-year project funded by the National Science Foundation to build a global network of floats equipped with chemical and biological sensors to monitor ocean health. The project brings together researchers from MBARI, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of Washington, and Princeton University to build and deploy 500 robotic biogeochemical floats around the globe.A single robotic float costs the same as two days at sea on a research ship. The floats can collect data autonomously for more than five years in remote areas and in all seasons, including during winter storms, when shipboard work is limited. This game-changing technology is transforming how oceanographers and climate scientists observe and understand our changing ocean. Data streaming from the float array becomes available in near-real-time and is made freely available to researchers, educators, and policymakers around the world. Sharing these data brings new opportunities to learn, collaborate, and inspire collective action for our changing ocean.Learn more about the project and check out the data here: go-bgc.orgVideo production and editing: Madison PobisProducer: Susan von Thun
Enjoy 8 minutes of stunning ultra high-definition 4K video from the deep sea MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-06-08 | Celebrate World Ocean Day with eight minutes of stunning underwater video brought to you by MBARI’s deep-sea robots. A dazzling diversity of creatures thrive in the largest living space on Earth—the deep sea. Now, you can get an up-close and personal look at them in ultra high-definition 4K!The ocean and its inhabitants face a rising tide of threats. Pollution, overfishing, and climate change make for an uncertain future. We’re working to understand this incredible habitat and how animals there will navigate these changes. The ocean needs our help. All life—including us—depends on a healthy ocean.Learn more about the how climate change impacts our ocean and what you can do: mbari.co/OceanClimateChangeAnimals in order of appearance: 00:00 Grooved tanner crab (Chionoecetes tanneri) and blacktail snailfish (Careproctus melanurus) | 911 meters (2,989 feet)00:19 Feather boa siphonophore (Erenna richardi) | 1,353 meters (4,439 feet)00:57 Feather star (superfamily Antedonoidea) | 909 meters (2,982 feet)01:12 Strawberry squid (Histioteuthis heteropsis) | 485 meters (1,591 feet)01:36 Eastern Pacific black ghostshark (Hydrolagus melanophasma) | 1,381 meters (4,531 feet)01:59 Giant siphonophore (Praya dubia) | 205 meters (673 feet)02:37 Deep-sea skate (Bathyraja abyssicola) | 1,387 meters (4,551 feet)02:55 Giant larvacean (Bathochordaeus stygius) | 488 meters (1,601 feet)03:13 Slime star (Pteraster sp.) | 1,325 meters (4,347 feet)03:30 Angler shrimp (Eusergestes similis) | 382 meters (1,253 feet)03:52 Basket star (Gorgonocephalus eucnemis) | 1,255 meters (4,117 feet)04:04 Scallop comb jelly (Bathocyroe sp.) | 888 meters (2,913 feet)04:19 Blob sculpin (Psychrolutes phrictus) | 1,310 meters (4,293 feet)04:29 Swordtail squid (Chiroteuthis calyx) | 485 meters (1,591 feet)04:46 Sea anemone (order Actiniaria) with pom-pom anemone (Liponema brevicorne) | 906 meters (2,972 feet)04:58 Bloody-belly comb jelly (Lampocteis cruentiventer) | 660 meters (2,165 feet)05:21 Pink bamboo coral (Keratoisis sp.) | 1,287 meters (4,222 feet)05:46 Octopus squid (Octopoteuthis deletron) | 736 meters (2,415 feet)06:16 Longspine thornyhead (Sebastolobus altivelis) | 1,249 meters (4,098 feet)06:37 Oven mitt comb jelly (Beroe forskalii) | 284 meters (932 feet)07:04 Vermilion crab (Paralomis sp.) on bubblegum coral (Paragorgia arborea) | 899 meters (2,949 feet)07:28 Snow globe jelly (Modeeria rotunda) | 514 meters (1,686 feet)07:54 Fingered goblet sponge (Heterochone calyx) | 905 meters (2,969 feet)08:13 Vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) | 589 meters (1,932 feet)Video editor: Kyra SchliningMusic: Night Views; I Am Serious; Winter Dream (Motion Array)Learn more about Feather boa siphonophore (Erenna richardi): biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4189.3.1Learn more about vampire squid bioluminescence: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.2307/1543231
The weird and wonderful pom-pom anemone rolls across the deep seafloor MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-05-17 | Pom-pom anemones, Liponema brevicorne, are amazing and adaptable invertebrates. This anemone resembles an unusual tentacle-covered dome unlike the more common stalked column body associated with many other anemones. Even within the unique body shape, there is variability. Sometimes it is observed in a low, deflated position, while other times it is puffy with tentacles extended. While other species of anemones stay attached in one place, pom-pom anemones can be mobile. Using their muscles, they can contort their body into a barrel-like shape. They roll across the seafloor like a tumbleweed in the desert, propelled by ocean currents. It is speculated that this behavior allows them to scavenge and seek out more nutritious habitats in search of plankton and small crustaceans. Liponema may be an important link for other animals, both in terms of habitat and as a food source. Shrimp, amphipods, and even fish have been observed using these anemones as shelter among the relatively flat, muddy seafloor. MBARI researchers have also found that pom-pom anemones may be an important source of food animals such as sea spiders, or pycnogonids. The sea spiders appear to suck material from the anemone's tentacles. Luckily for pom-pom anemones, this does not appear to harm them. In fact, pom-pom anemones can shed tentacles, giving spiders an on the go treat.Common name: Pom-pom anemone, tentacle shedding anemoneScientific name: Liponema brevicorneReported depth range: 102–4,134 meters (335 to 13,563 feet)Size: to 30 centimeters (12 inches)Editor: Ted BlancoScript writer: Larissa LemonProduction team: Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun, Nancy Jacobsen StoutFor more information see:mbari.org/sea-spiders-and-pom-pom-anemones mbari.org/fleshing-out-the-life-histories-of-dead-whales Follow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_News Instagram: instagram.com/mbari_news Tumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbariAnd now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news References Used:Braby, C. E., V. B. Pearse, B.A. Bain, and R. C. Vrijenhoek (2009). Pycnogonid‐cnidarian trophic interactions in the deep Monterey Submarine Canyon. Invertebrate Biology, 128(4), 359-363. doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7410.2009.00176.xLundsten, L., K.L. Schlining, K. Frasier, S. B. Johnson, L.A. Kuhnz, J.B.J. Harvey, G. Clague and R. C. Vrijenhoek (2010). Time-series analysis of six whale-fall communities in Monterey Canyon, California, USA. Deep-Sea Research I, 57, 1573-1584. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2010.09.003
A remarkable new sighting: Dragonfish lurk in the dark depths MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-05-03 | During a recent expedition aboard our research vessel Western Flyer, MBARI’s science team encountered a beautifully bronze deep-sea dragon. Meet the highfin dragonfish, Bathophilus flemingi. They captured the sighting in stunning ultra high-definititon 4K video! Dragonfishes are cunning predators in the ocean’s depths. Although they are strong swimmers, they are sit-and-wait predators. They hang motionless in the midwater, lying in wait for small crustaceans and fishes. When a tasty morsel comes close, those big jaws open wide and sharp teeth snap shut.MBARI researchers have observed a few different dragonfishes in the depths of Monterey Bay, but this one is the rarest we’ve encountered. In more than three decades of deep-sea research and more than 27,600 hours of video, we’ve only seen this particular species four times! We spotted this individual just outside of Monterey Bay at a depth of about 300 meters (980 feet).Bathophilus flemingi can be up to 16.5 centimeters (6.5 inches) long. Its fins have long, thin rays. Scientists suspect those wing-like filaments may sense vibrations in the water, alerting the fish when predators or prey is approaching. They likely provide stability too and keep the fish from sinking while it lies in wait for food. These dragons don’t have scales—they have smooth, dark skin. Research by MBARI and our collaborators has revealed the pigments in the skin of some deep-sea dragonfishes are some of the blackest blacks found in nature, all the better to camouflage in the ocean’s midnight zone. Learn more about deep-sea dragonfishes in our Creature feature: mbari.co/DragonfishRelated research:Davis, A.L., K.N. Thomas, F.E. Goetz, B.H. Robison, S. Johnsen, and K.J. Osborn (2020). Ultra-black camouflage in deep-sea fishes. Current Biology, 30(17): 3470-3476.e3. doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.044Video editor: Kyra SchliningProduction team: Raúl Nava, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von ThunMusic: Incredible Life on Earth (Motion Array)Check out MBARI for more: mbari.orgSubscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletter Follow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_news/Tumblr: https://mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
Remarkable new species of deep-sea crown jelly discovered in depths of Monterey Bay MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-04-19 | Atolla is one of the most common residents of the ocean’s midnight zone. This deep-sea crown jelly is found worldwide and can be abundant in deep water. Its bell has a signature scarlet color and it has one tentacle that is much longer than the rest. Fifteen years ago, MBARI researchers spotted a large jelly that looked like Atolla but lacked the telltale trailing tentacle, and their curiosity was piqued. MBARI researchers have now published the scientific description of this new species. The jelly was named Atolla reynoldsi in honor of the first volunteer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, MBARI’s education and conservation partner. These discoveries remind us that we still know so little about the ocean, the largest living space on Earth. The ocean is changing rapidly and the same threats that face coastal waters—overfishing, plastic pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction—also extend to the depths below. We must document the diversity of life deep beneath the surface before it becomes lost forever.Learn more: mbari.org/new-atollaEditor: Kyra SchliningWriter: Susan von ThunProduction team: Nancy Jacobsen Stout, George Matsumoto, Raúl Nava, Kyra Schlining, Susan von ThunMusic: MicroScience by dopestuff (Motion Array)Subscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletterFollow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/ Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_newsTumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
We asked the Monterey Bay Aquarium: What are your top 10 deep-sea animals? MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-04-12 | We’ve been working with our colleagues at the Monterey Bay Aquarium to help them bring the deep sea to land in a new exhibition, ‘Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean’. When you visit, you’ll encounter some of the most unique and rarely seen animals ever featured in an aquarium exhibition. You've seen MBARI's Top 10 deep-sea animals (youtu.be/80OG2BGrmyA), but we wondered, what are Monterey Bay Aquarium's favorites? So here they are the Aquarium’s top ten favorite deep-sea animals—at least for this video!“Into the Deep” opened on April 9,2022. We hope you get a chance to visit and see these fabulous animals for yourself!Learn more about the Into the Deep exhibition: mbayaq.co/3Gd6GE0 Subscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletterFollow MBARI’s exploration and discoveries: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_news/Tumblr: https://mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
High-tech “smart boulders” give the first look from the inside of an underwater landslide MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-04-06 | The sediment that pours out of coastal rivers accumulates at the head of Monterey Canyon. Periodically, it collapses and forms a sediment gravity flow that surges through the submarine canyon like an underwater landslide. Because these flows move quickly and powerfully along the seafloor, they are challenging for scientists to study. Motion-sensing “smart boulders” developed by MBARI engineers have provided the first detailed look inside sediment gravity flows. MBARI researchers have learned that sediment gravity flows mobilize the top three meters (10 feet) of the seafloor, a finding with major implications for underwater infrastructure like cables carrying data and power to coastal communities.Learn more: www.mbari.org/beds-sediment-flowsEditor: Megan BassettWriter: Raúl NavaProduction team: Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Raúl Nava, Kyra Schlining, Susan von ThunMusic: Finding Answers by Oliver Garcia (Motion Array)Subscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletterFollow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/ Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_newsTumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
Weird and Wonderful: The balloon worm floats in the ocean’s twilight zone MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-04-05 | The balloon worm (Poeobius meseres) hardly looks like a worm at all. It lives in the midwater—the vast expanse of open water deep below the surface and far above the seafloor. Most marine polychaete worms—the much more elaborate relatives of earthworms and leeches—have a body that is clearly segmented. Their bodies are divided into many nearly identical, repeated parts. Typically, each of those repeated parts is studded with several stiff bristles. Poeobius, however, has a bag-like body filled with fluid that, together with its thick gelatinous coat, provides buoyancy to help it stay up in the water column effortlessly. Poeobius is a common and very abundant resident of the midwater of Monterey Bay. It drifts through the water, collecting and eating bits of sinking organic matter in a mucous net. This little worm is actually an important part of cycling nutrients like carbon from the ocean’s surface to its depths.Learn more at MBARI’s Creature feature: mbari.co/PoeobiusVideo production: Editor: Ted BlancoWriter: Kris WalzProduction team: Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Raúl Nava, Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun, Kris WalzMusic: Drifting Weightless in Space by Humans WinSubscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletterFollow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/ Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_newsTumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
Live Blackwater Diving Q&A with MBARI and Aquarium Scientists! | Into The Deep MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-03-24 | Join diving jellyfish biologists MacKenzie Bubel and MBARI's George Matsumoto for a deeper look at blackwater SCUBA diving, and what it's like to witness the Earth's largest animal migration as organisms commute from the deep sea to surface waters to feed."Into The Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean" opens April 9, 2022 thanks to the special partnership between the Monterey Bay Aquarium and MBARI's team of scientists and engineers. More info: montereybayaquarium.org/visit/exhibits/into-the-deepMore Into The Deep videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq_DVMr7CmlK6u2cCidN0ZZpg8RLAzUhr
Deep-sea sighting: The strawberry squid’s mismatched eyes are the perfect pair MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-03-23 | During a recent deep-sea dive, our team came across one of the most remarkable residents of the ocean’s twilight zone: the strawberry squid (Histioteuthis heteropsis). MBARI’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Doc Ricketts spotted this crimson cephalopod 725 meters (2,378 feet) deep in Monterey Canyon. The stunning ultra high-definition resolution 4K video from the ROV Doc Ricketts allows researchers to examine deep-sea denizens in astonishing detail. The strawberry squid has one big eye and one small eye. Together, this unlikely pair helps the squid hunt for food in the ocean’s twilight zone. The big left eye looks upward to spot shadows cast by prey in the dimly lit waters above. The eye’s tubular shape helps collect as much downwelling light as possible. Often, this eye has a yellow lens to see through the luminescent camouflage of its prey. The squid’s right eye is small and looks downward. This eye searches for flashes of bioluminescence produced by prey or predators lurking in the darker waters below. This squid is sometimes called the cockeyed squid for the remarkable difference in size between the two eyes.Learn more about the strawberry squid on our Creature feature web page: mbari.co/StrawberrySquidReference:Thomas, K.N., B.H. Robison, and S. Johnsen (2017). Two eyes for two purposes: In situ evidence for asymmetric vision in the cockeyed squids Histioteuthis heteropsis and Stigmatoteuthis dofleini. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 372: 20160069. doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2016.0069Video editor: Kyra SchliningProduction team: Raúl Nava and Susan von Thun Music: Wonderful Dream by DHDMusic (Motion Array)Check out MBARI for more: mbari.orgSubscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletter Follow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_news/Tumblr: https://mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
Where does the largest animal migration on Earth happen? The oceans twilight zone MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-03-17 | Join the Monterey Bay Aquarium and MBARI on a blackwater scuba dive, and witness the largest animal migration on Earth. MBARI deep-sea biologist George Matsumoto joined the Aquarium’s animal care team on an expedition to the Big Island of Hawaii, where they studied and collected deep-sea animals for display in a groundbreaking exhibition Into the Deep: Exploring our Undiscovered Ocean. Every night, millions of animals migrate from the ocean’s twilight zone to the surface to feed under the cover of darkness. This migration, called diel (or daily) vertical migration, is the equivalent to running a 10K twice every day and at twice the speed of an Olympic marathon runner. The nightly migration to the surface allows deep-sea animals to feed on abundant plankton in shallow waters. This is a key component of the carbon cycle, providing a mechanism to draw carbon—in the form of snot, poop, and other debris—from the surface to the deep sea. Studying this massive migration is critical to understanding ocean health and our changing climate.Learn more about the Into the Deep exhibition: mbayaq.co/3Gd6GE0 Learn more about MBARI’s research on vertical migration: annualreport.mbari.org/2019/story/while-you-were-sleepingSubscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletterFollow MBARI’s exploration and discoveries: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_news/Tumblr: https://mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
Deep relaxation: The relaxing rhythm of jellies will help you unwind MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-03-01 | Sit back and relax with these soothing jellies. From tiny, delicate drifters, to giant deep-sea denizens, jellies come in a variety of beautiful and mesmerizing forms. There are many different kinds of gelatinous animals in the deep, but here we are featuring the umbrella-shaped animals that swim by pulsing a bell and usually have tentacles trailing behind their mellow flowing movement. Most people underestimate the true diversity of this dazzling group of animals. Taxonomically, they are far more varied than a handful of the most common examples used to represent “jellyfish”. See below for a full list of each jelly’s scientific name, observations depth, and location. Head over to our channel to watch more meditative videos in our Deep RelaxOcean series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8y7x0SoYxpeAECm1ikEbJv3_qFlLyz-b Editor: Kyra SchliningMusic: Sleeping and Floating (Motion Array Original)Animals in order of appearance:00:00 Stygiomedusa gigantea (giant phantom jelly) | depth 1,083 meters (3,553 feet), Monterey Bay00:25 Solmissus sp. (dinner plate jelly) | depth 440 meters (1,443 feet), Monterey Bay00:48 Tiburonia granrojo (big red jelly) | depth 1,083 meters (3,553 feet), Monterey Bay01:12 Halitrephes maasi (fireworks jelly) | depth 946 meters (3,104 feet), Monterey Bay 01:36 Aeginura sp. (raspberry jelly) | depth 729 meters (2,392 feet), Davidson Seamount 01:59 Poralia sp. (red disk jelly) | depth 1,577 meters (5,174 feet), Southern California02:15 Solmissus sp. (dinner plate jelly) | depth 804 meters (2,638 feet), greater Monterey Bay area 02:35 Stellamedusa ventana (bumpy jelly) | depth 171 meters (561 feet), Monterey Bay 02:56 Poralia sp. (red disk jelly) | depth 1,235 meters (4,051 feet), Gulf of California 03:33 Aegina citrea (lemon jelly) | depth 948 meters (3,111 feet), off the coast of Big Sur 03:56 Atolla sp. (red crown jelly) | depth 480 meters (1,575 feet), Monterey Bay 04:18 Colobonema sericeum (silky jelly) | depth 508 meters (1,667 feet), greater Monterey Bay area04:32 Chrysaora fuscescens (sea nettle) | depth 39 meters (128 feet), Monterey Bay 04:59 Colobonema sericeum (silky jelly) | depth 361 meters (1,184 feet), Monterey Bay05:13 Periphylla periphylla (helmet jelly) | depth 567 meters (1,861 feet), Astoria Canyon, Pacific Northwest05:29 Solmissus sp. (dinner plate jelly) | depth 588 meters (1,928 feet), Monterey Bay05:52 Botrynema brucei (lampshade jelly) | depth 2,187 meters (7.174 feet), Monterey Bay 06:06 Aurelia labiata (moon jelly) | depth 14 meters (45 feet), Monterey Bay 06:34 Aegina sp. (golf tee jelly) | depth 1,222 meters (4,009 feet), Monterey Bay06:53 Chrysaora fuscescens (sea nettle) | depth 23 meters (77 feet) deep, Monterey Bay 07:12 Stellamedusa ventana (bumpy jelly) | depth 480 meters (1,576 feet), Monterey Bay 07:41 Periphylla periphylla (helmet jelly) | depth 773 meters (2,537 feet), Monterey Bay 08:04 Tiburonia granrojo (big red jelly) | depth 1,368 meters (4,491 feet), Monterey Bay 08:23 Aegina sp. (golf tee jelly) | depth 880 meters (2,886 feet), Monterey Bay08:36 Vampyrocrossota childressi (black jelly) | depth 1,483 meters (4,867 feet), Channel Islands, Southern California 08:48 Halicreas sp. (warty jelly) | depth 1,599 meters (5,243 feet), off the coast of Big Sur 09:09 Atolla sp. (red crown jelly) | depth 531 meters (1,743 feet), Monterey Bay09:29 Stygiomedusa gigantea (giant phantom jelly) | depth 1,682 meters (5,519 feet), offshore of Monterey Bay09:59 Benthocodon pedunculata (little red jelly) | depth 440 meters (1,444 feet), Monterey Bay Check out MBARI for more: mbari.orgSubscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletterFollow MBARI’s exploration and discoveries: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_news/Tumblr: https://mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
Fishing for eDNA: Robots help monitor a freshwater stream for a year MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-02-15 | Scott Creek is home to both coho salmon and steelhead trout, which are endangered and threatened under the Endangered Species Act. These native species support the entire ecosystem by bringing ocean-rich nutrients back to the stream when they spawn.In order to effectively monitor an ecosystem like Scott Creek, resource managers need to know which organisms are present and how many there are. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is made up of drifting bits of genetic material that allow us to see organisms without ever observing or catching them, but traditional eDNA sample collection still requires a person to visit a field site at regular intervals.MBARI researchers partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to compare manual counts of fish taken at Scott Creek with eDNA samples collected by the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP). This robotic “laboratory in a can” filters eDNA and preserves the samples for lab analysis instead of requiring manual collection.Over the course of one year, three ESPs deployed at Scott Creek recorded one of the longest continuous sets of autonomously collected eDNA data known to date—and foreshadowed the incredible potential of eDNA as a valuable tool for monitoring native species.Read more about how MBARI researchers studied native species at Scott Creek on our interactive web page: mbari.co/eDNAThis video was made in memory of Roman Marin III, a 23-year employee of MBARI who helped to develop the first Environmental Sample Processors. He was essential in getting these devices to work reliably in a wide variety of environments—from the deep seafloor to remote streams in Yellowstone National Park and the mountains of Montana.Senior Producers: Heidi Cullen, Madison Pobis, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun (MBARI video team)Videography: Todd Walsh, Madison PobisEditor: Madison PobisFeaturing: Kevan YamaharaAnimation: Frame 48 frame48.comMusic: Eminence Landscapes (Motion Array Originals), Nature Documentary (LexinMusic), The Meadow (Motion Array Originals), Seeking Mind (pinegroove), Technology and Science (PaBlikMM), Draw Near (Stories in Sound Studios)Check out MBARI for more: mbari.orgSubscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletterFollow MBARI’s exploration and discoveries: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_news/Tumblr: https://mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
Deep-sea #lovenotes MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-02-14 | This Valentine’s Day, we have one very important question for you: Who’s your favorite deep-sea duo? 💖In order of appearance in this video, we have some pretty epic deep-sea couples:Pandea rubea and pycnogonidDeepstaria enigmatica and AnuropusScotoplanes sea pig and Neolithodes
10 minutes of fascinating deep-sea animals | Into The Deep MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-02-10 | Enjoy 10 minutes of mesmerizing deep-sea animals filmed by MBARI's remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in the depths of Monterey Bay and beyond. This is a companion video for species identification to our education and conservation partner @Monterey Bay Aquarium 's "Why Do Deep Sea Animals Look So Weird?!": youtu.be/Do690uLmgCIGet ready to explore the Monterey Bay Aquarium's latest exhibition, "Into the Deep: Exploring our Undiscovered Ocean": montereybayaquarium.org/visit/exhibits/into-the-deepAnimals in order of appearance: (Sizes are maximum length, depths are published ranges)00:00 Peacock squid (Taonius sp.) | Size: 66 cm (26 in.) mantle length | Depth: 300–1,700 m (1,000–5,600 ft.)00:16 Psychedelic jelly (Crossota millsae) | Size: 2.8 cm (about 1 in) across | Depth: below 1,000 - 3,300 m (3,300 - 10,800 ft.)00:32 Blob sculpin (Psychrolutes phrictus) | Size: 70 cm (26 in.) | Depth: 800–2,800 m (2,600–9,200 ft.)00:47 Midwater octopus (Japetella diaphana) | Size: 16 cm (6 in.) | Depth: 800–1,450 m (2,600–4,800 ft.)01:03 Black seadevil anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsonii) | Size: 6 cm (2 in.) | Depth: 100–4,500 m (330–14,800 ft.)01:18 Spiny dreamer anglerfish (Oneirodes acanthias) | Size: 20 cm (8 in.) | Depth: 500–1,200 m (1,600–3,900 ft.)01:29 Swimming sea cucumber (Enypniastes sp.) | Size: 25 cm (10 in.) | Depth: 500–7,000 m (1,600–23,000 ft.)01:44 Smalleye snipe eel (Avocettina bowersii) | Size: 52 cm (10 in.) | Depth: 90–2,700 m (300–8,900 ft.) 01:59 Blue shark (Prionace glauca) | Size: 3.8 m (12.5 ft.) | Depth: surface to 350 m (1,150 ft.)02:15 Silky jelly (Colobonema sericeum) | Size: 4.5 cm (1.8 in.) across | Depth: 200–700 m (660–2,300 ft.)02:30 Strawberry squid (Histioteuthis heteropsis) | Size: 13 cm (5 in.) mantle length | Depth: 300–800 m (1,000–2,600 ft.)02:46 Crystal amphipod (Cystisoma magna) | Size: 14 cm (6 in.) | Depth: 200–1,500 m (660–4,900 ft.)3:03 Cross jelly (Mitrocoma cellularia) | Size: 9 cm / 3.5 in across | Depth: surface to 1,000 m / 3,300 ft3:18 Frilled jelly (Chiarella centripetalis) | Size: 1.5 cm (0.5 in.) across | Depth: surface to 800 m (2,600 ft.)3:37 Peacock squid (Taonius sp.) | Size: 66 cm (26 in.) mantle length | Depth: 300–1,700 m (1,000–5,600 ft.)03:54 Vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) | Size: 30 cm (12 in) | Depth: 600–900 m (2,000–3,000 ft)04:08 Rattail fishes (Coryphaenoides sp.) | Size: 1m (3.2 ft.) | Depth: 200 - 4,000 m / 600 - 13,100 ft04:26 Bathyal squid (Bathyteuthis sp.) | Size: 7.5 cm (3 in.) mantle length | Depth: 100–4,200 m (330–13,800 ft.)04:42 Swordtail squid (Chiroteuthis calyx) | Size: 10 cm (4 in.) mantle length | Depth: 100–800 m (330–2,600 ft.)04:57 Owlfishes (Family: Bathylagidae) | Depth: 100–1,500 m (330–4,900 ft.)05:12 Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas) eating armhook squid (Gonatus sp.)05:20 Helmet jelly (Periphylla periphylla) eating market squid (Doryteuthis opalescens)5:34 Black-eyed squid (Gonatus onyx) eating stout owlfish (Pseudobathylagus milleri)05:49 Rattail fish (Family: Macrouridae) eating squid06:04 Black-eyed squid eating another black-eyed squid (Gonatus onyx)06:18 Swarthy snaketooth (Chiasmodon subniger) | Size: 3 cm (1 in.) | Depth: 200–4,600 m (660–15,100 ft.)06:33 Giant whipnose anglerfish (Gigantactis gargantua) | Size: 41 cm (16 in.) | Depth: 500–1,500 m (1,600–4,900 ft.)06:47 Pacific viperfish (Chauliodus macouni) | Size: 30 cm (12 in.) | Depth: 200–1,500 m (660–4,900 ft.)07:02 Pacific blackdragon (Idiacanthus antrostomus) | Size: 38 cm (15 in.) | Depth: 300–700 m (1,000–2,300 ft.)07:19 Longnose chimaera (Harriotta raleighana) Size: 1.2 m (3.9 ft) | Depth: 500–2,600 m (1,600–8,500 ft)07:35 Feather star (Family: Crinoidea) 07:49 Midwater bristle worm (Flota sp.) | Size: 10 cm (4 in.) | Depth: 2,000–4,000 m (6,600–13,100 ft.)08:04 Threadfin snailfish (Careproctus longifilis) | Size: 16.2 cm (6.4 in) | Depth: to 3675 m / 12,057 ft08:18 Pointy-nosed blue chimaera (Hydrolagus trolli) | Size: 1.2 m (3.9 ft.) | Depth: 600–1,700 m (2,000–5,600 ft.)08:33 Rabbit-eared comb jelly (Kiyohimea usagi) | Size: 28 cm (11 in.) | Depth: 200–300 m (660–1,000 ft.)08:50 Bomber worm (Swima fulgida) | Size: 3 cm (1 in.) | Depth: 3,200–3,600 m (10,500–11,800 ft.)09:05 Panda bear sea angel (Notobranchaea macdonaldi) | Size: 1 cm (0.5 in.) | Depth: 200–1,700 m (660–5,600 ft.)09:20 Red balloon jelly (Deepstaria reticulum) | Size: 75 cm (30 in.) across | Depth: 600–1,900 m (2,000–6,200 ft.)09:34 Barreleye (Macropinna microstoma) | Size: 15 cm (6 in.) | Depth: 600–800 m (2,000–2,600 ft.)____10 Minutes of Fascinating Deep-Sea Animals | Into The Deep#IntoTheDeep #DeepSea
Turning eDNA into data: Autonomous robot brings the lab to the field MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-02-01 | Environmental DNA (eDNA) preserves a snapshot of an ecosystem in the genetic traces that animals, viruses, and microscopic organisms leave behind. But natural processes degrade eDNA, making it critical for scientists to collect samples consistently over time. MBARI researchers developed the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) to autonomously collect, preserve, and analyze eDNA in situ (.i.e. in the place where it occurs), drastically reducing the time and resources needed to study eDNA.This powerful tool allows us to take the lab to the most remote locations on our planet, tracking ecosystems as they change and move. Studying eDNA with ESP technology turns these biological leftovers into data that help us understand and protect our planet and the millions of species who call it home.Read more about eDNA and how MBARI researchers are using the ESP to monitor aquatic health on our interactive web page: mbari.co/eDNASenior Producers: Heidi Cullen, Madison Pobis, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun (MBARI video team)Voice-over: Madison PobisAnimation: Frame 48 frame48.comA special thanks to Jim Birch and Kevan Yamahara for their thoughtful guidance in producing this animation.Check out MBARI for more: mbari.orgSubscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletterFollow MBARI’s exploration and discoveries: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_news/Tumblr: https://mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
New underwater camera records stunning 4K video of deep-sea animals and habitats MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-01-26 | Cameras on MBARI’s remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) have recorded thousands of hours of video helping our research team piece together the mysteries of Earth’s largest, but least explored, living space. Now, a collaboration between MBARI and DeepSea Power & Light has provided the tools to capture ultra high-definition resolution 4K video thousands of meters below the ocean’s surface.Featured in this video (in order of appearance):Bubblegum coral, Paragorgia arborea, with crinoids (1,084 meters/3,556 feet)Grooved Tanner crab, Chionoecetes tanneri, with blacktail snailfish, Careproctus melanurus, and mushroom soft coral, Heteropolypus ritteri (1,072 meters/3,517 feet)Red paper lantern jelly, Pandea rubra (665 meters/2,182 feet)Longfin dragonfish, Tactostoma macropus (909 meters/2,982 feet)Learn more: mbari.org/4K-camera-developmentVideo editor: Megan BassettVideo producer: Susan von ThunCheck out MBARI for more information: mbari.orgSubscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletter Follow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_news/Tumblr: https://mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
Environmental DNA: How to see the genetic clues left behind in a drop of water MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-01-25 | Environmental DNA (eDNA) is the pool of genetic material that can be collected from an environmental sample. As organisms live and navigate in their aquatic habitat, they leave behind a trail of shed cells, skin, waste, and mucus. Just a few drops of water can contain this cellular material in addition to microscopic animals, algae, viruses, and free DNA. Scientists use these genetic clues to identify this diverse cast of characters long after they’ve moved on.Read more about eDNA and how MBARI researchers are using it to monitor aquatic health on our interactive web page: mbari.co/eDNASenior Producers: Heidi Cullen, Madison Pobis, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun (MBARI video team)Voice-over: Madison PobisAnimation: Frame 48 frame48.comA special thanks to Jim Birch and Kevan Yamahara for their thoughtful guidance in producing this animation.Check out MBARI for more: mbari.orgSubscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletterFollow MBARI’s exploration and discoveries: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_news/Tumblr: https://mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_news
Bioluminescence in the deep sea: How and why do animals create their own light? MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-01-18 | A dive into the deep sea reveals twinkling lights in the midst of darkness. This light doesn’t come from the sun—sunlight can’t penetrate to these depths—it comes from the animals that live here. Scientists call this living light show bioluminescence—when living organisms create their own light using a chemical reaction.MBARI Senior Scientist Steve Haddock and his team are working to decipher the secret language of light in the deep sea. His team’s work has revealed that bioluminescence is actually quite common in the deep. From zooplankton to jellies, fishes, and squid, deep-sea animals have adapted to use light in a variety of ways. MBARI’s work is helping biologists understand how and why these remarkable animals produce their own light.We’ve collaborated with our education and conservation partner Monterey Bay Aquarium on the development of their newest exhibition, “Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean,” opening on April 9, 2022. The groundbreaking exhibition will offer a rare look at the animals that thrive in the least explored area of the planet and will feature an immersive experience recreating the world of deep-sea bioluminescence. Learn more about the exhibition: mbayaq.co/3Gd6GE0 Learn more about MBARI’s research on bioluminescence: www.mbari.org/bioluminescenceMonterey Bay Aquarium video production team: Christy Chamberlain, Presley Adamson Editor: Lou Laprocido MBARI video production team: Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun, Madison PobisFollow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_News Instagram: instagram.com/mbari_news Tumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-And now, TikTok: tiktok.com/@mbari_newsFollow the Monterey Bay Aquarium on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/MontereyAq Facebook: facebook.com/montereybayaquarium Instagram: instagram.com/montereybayaquariumTumblr: montereybayaquarium.tumblr.comTwitch: twitch.tv/montereyaq TikTok now too: tiktok.com/@montereyaq
Weird and Wonderful: The psychedelic jelly is one of the most colorful residents of the deep sea MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2022-01-04 | This jelly is one of the most colorful residents of the ocean’s midnight zone. The remarkable coloration of this jelly tipped off scientists that they had found a previously unknown species. It was named in honor of Claudia Mills for her dedication to studying the ocean’s delicate drifters. MBARI has observed several species of Crossota in Monterey Canyon. Unlike many jellies, we can see obvious differences between the males and females. The eggs in the females are large and globular, while the male gonads are shaped like sausages. The baby medusae stay attached under the mother’s bell until they are ready to launch. While brooding behavior is not unique to this jelly, it is always exciting to observe in the deep sea. MBARI’s robotic submersibles give us a peek at how animals thrive in the ocean’s dark depths.Learn more at MBARI's Creture feature: mbari.org/products/creature-feature/psychedelic-jellyVideo editor: Ted BlancoScript writer: Megan BassettProduction team: Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun, Nancy Jacobsen StoutFollow MBARI on social media:Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_News Instagram: instagram.com/mbari_news Tumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-
MBARI 2021: A collection of this years best moments in the deep sea MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-12-21 | MBARI sustained our commitment to ocean exploration and discovery in 2021. The year brought more challenges, but exploring our big, blue backyard always inspires awe and wonder—and curiosity about the life we find there. From rare deep-sea fishes and giant jellies to adorable octopuses and twinkling squid, MBARI's remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) encountered some captivating and extraordinary moments in the deep. These fascinating finds underscore the dazzling diversity of life in the deep sea. As we continue to explore the largest and least known habitat on our planet—the ocean—we promise to share our discoveries with you. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do! Featured in this video (in order of appearance):String siphonophore, Apolemia sp.Barreleye fish, Macropinna microstomaOven mitt comb jelly, Beroe forskaliiOctopus squid, Octopoteuthis deletronCrystal amphipod, Cystisoma magnaWhalefish, family CetomimidaeShining bomber worm, Swima fulgidaWhiptail gulper eel, Saccopharynx lavenbergiLampshade jelly, Botrynema bruceiSilky jelly, Colobonema sericeumBlack-eyed squid, Gonatus onyxPacific spiny dogfish, Squalus suckleyiKing-of-the-salmon or ribbonfish, Trachipterus altivelisVampire squid, Vampyroteuthis infernalisFour-tentacle jelly, Tetrorchis erythrogasterParalomis crab on bubblegum coral, Paragorgia arboreaDeep-water big-eye shrimp, Pandalus amplus, on mushroom soft coral, Heteropolypus ritteriRattail fish, family Macrouridae, and shaggy bamboo coral, Isidella tentaculumDumbo octopus, Grimpoteuthis sp.Black smokerLittle red jelly Benthocodon sp.School of juvenile rockfish, Sebastes sp. Giant sea spider, Colossendeis sp., with hydroid hitchhikersSpiny red star, Hippasteria sp., on bamboo coral, family IsididaeSchool of Pacific hake, Merluccius productus Sea anemone, Sicyonis sp.Shortspine thornyhead, Sebastolobus alascanusEgg-yolk jelly, Phacellophora camtschatica, with pelagic goose barnacles, Alepus pacifica Ocean sunfish, Mola mola, and school of fishBunny-eared amphipod, family ScinidaeGiant phantom jelly, Stygiomedusa giganteaThreadfin slickhead fish, Talismania bifurcataVideo editor: Kyra Schlining Music: Velvet Clouds by DHDMusic (Motion Array)Follow MBARI on social media:Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_News Instagram: instagram.com/mbari_news Tumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-
New deep-sea sighting: The barreleye fish has a transparent head and tubular eyes MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-12-09 | I spy with my barreleye, a new Fresh from the Deep! During a dive with our education and outreach partner, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the team came across a rare treat: a barreleye fish (Macropinna microstoma).MBARI’s remotely operated vehicles have logged more than 5,600 successful dives and recorded more than 27,600 hours of video—yet we’ve only encountered this fish nine times!The barreleye lives in the ocean’s twilight zone, at depths of 600 to 800 meters (2,000 to 2,600 feet). Its eyes look upwards to spot its favorite prey—usually small crustaceans trapped in the tentacles of siphonophores—from the shadows they cast in the faint shimmer of sunlight from above. But how does this fish eat when its eyes point upward and its mouth points forward? MBARI researchers learned the barreleye can rotate its eyes beneath that dome of transparent tissue.Aquarist Tommy Knowles and his team were aboard MBARI’s R/V Rachel Carson with our ROV Ventana to collect jellies and comb jellies for the Aquarium’s upcoming Into the Deep exhibition when they spotted this fascinating fish. The team stopped to marvel at Macropinna before it swam away.MBARI is working with the Aquarium to bring the deep sea to you next spring. Into the Deep will bring you face-to-face with deep-sea denizens like bloody-belly comb jellies, bubblegum corals, and Japanese spider crabs.Learn more about the barreleye fish in our Creature feature: mbari.co/BarreleyeFishFind more fascinating creatures: mbari.co/CreatureFeatureLearn more about Into the Deep: montereybayaquarium.org/visit/exhibits/into-the-deep Editor: Kyra SchliningMusic: Horizons (MotionArray)Follow MBARI on social media:Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInewsTwitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_newsTumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-Follow the Monterey Bay Aquarium:We're on Twitter: twitter.com/MontereyAq And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montereybaya... And Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/montereybay... And Tumblr! https://www.tumblr.com/blog/montereyb... And Twitch! twitch.tv/montereyaq TikTok now too whaaaat: tiktok.com/@montereyaq
An extraordinary deep-sea sighting: The giant phantom jelly MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-11-30 | This ghostly giant is a rare sight. But in November 2021, MBARI researchers spotted this giant phantom jelly (Stygiomedusa gigantea) with the ROV Doc Ricketts 990 meters (3,200 feet) deep in Monterey Bay. The bell of this deep-sea denizen is more than one meter (3.3 feet) across and trails four ribbon-like oral (or mouth) arms that can grow more than 10 meters (33 feet) in length. MBARI’s ROVs have logged thousands of dives, yet we have only seen this spectacular species nine times. The giant phantom jelly was first collected in 1899. Since then, scientists have only encountered this animal about 100 times. It appears to have a worldwide distribution and has been recorded in all ocean basins except for the Arctic. The challenges of accessing its deep-water habitat contribute to the relative scarcity of sightings for such a large and broadly distributed species. Historically, scientists relied on trawl nets to study deep-sea animals. These nets can be effective for studying hardy animals such as fishes, crustaceans, and squids, but jellies turn to gelatinous goo in trawl nets. The cameras on MBARI’s ROVs have allowed MBARI researchers to study these animals intact in their natural environment. High-definition—and now 4K—video of the giant phantom jelly captures stunning details about the animal’s appearance and behaviors that scientists would not have been able to see with a trawl-caught specimen. Find more fascinating creatures: mbari.co/CreatureFeatureEditor: Kyra SchliningMusic: Calm Space (MotionArray)Follow MBARI on social media:Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInewsTwitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_newsTumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-
Navigating STEM as an acoustic marine biologist | Kelly Benoit-Bird MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-11-08 | Science is a verb. That’s the philosophy that guides Kelly Benoit-Bird, a marine biologist at MBARI using sound to study how animals make a living in the ocean. Kelly’s curiosity began with a fascination for marine mammals and how they sense a world that’s dark and three-dimensional through echolocation. As the first person in her family to go to college, she navigated the unfamiliar path of becoming a professional scientist. Now, she’s combining technology, biology, and physics to study the ocean from a fish-eye view.Careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) include diverse roles that go far beyond the traditional scientist in a lab coat. This episode continues our video series called Navigating STEM, where we’re sharing how our staff navigated the waves on the way to a career at MBARI—and where they’re going from here. There are hundreds of paths to an ocean STEM career, and some of them may surprise you!Senior Producers: Heidi Cullen, Madison Pobis, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von ThunEditor: Jesse AvernaVideography: Madison PobisArchival Footage and Stills: Kelly Benoit-Bird, Periscope Film LLC, Prelinger ArchivesSonar sound: RICHERlandTVAnimation: Midnight Snacks http://www.midnight-snacks.comMusic: Aspiring For New (SoundTheLimit), Easy Ways To Knowledge (Eliho), Delicate Frost (Motion Array Originals), Electricity (Motion Array Originals), Digital Heart (Frequently Asked Music), Business Mastermind (Stevie B)Check out MBARI for more: mbari.orgSubscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletterFollow MBARI’s exploration and discoveries: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_news/Tumblr: https://mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari
Deep-sea rover provides long-term data on carbon cycle and climate change MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-11-03 | The sheer expanse of the deep sea and the technological challenges of working in an extreme environment make these depths difficult to access and study. For the past seven years, Benthic Rover II has been continuously operational at Station M, an MBARI research site located 225 kilometers (140 miles) off the coast of central California. Station M lies 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) below the ocean’s surface—as deep as the average depth of the ocean—making it a good model system for studying abyssal ecosystems. A study published in Science Robotics details the development and proven long-term operation of this rover. This innovative mobile laboratory has further revealed the role of the deep sea in cycling carbon. The data collected by this rover are fundamental to understanding the impacts of climate change on the ocean.The success of Benthic Rover II and MBARI’s ongoing work at Station M highlight how persistent platforms and long-term observations can further our understanding of the largest living space on Earth. With more companies looking to extract mineral resources from the deep seafloor, these data also give valuable insights into the baseline conditions in areas under consideration for industrial development or deep-sea mining.Learn more about the study: mbari.org/benthic-rover-2Related research:Robots in the Abyss: 30 years of research on the abyssal plain provides clues to climate change: youtu.be/lM8j0rQlAuoEditor: Kyra SchliningScript writer: Susan von ThunProduction team: Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Raúl NavaMusic: Digital Nation (MotionArray)Follow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_News Instagram: instagram.com/mbari_news Tumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari
Weird and Wonderful: The barrel amphipod devours its host MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-10-26 | The midwater is a vast expanse of water between the surface and the seafloor. There are no places for rest or refuge here. The barrel amphipod, Phronima sedentaria, is a shrimp-like crustacean that adapts by living inside the repurposed bodies of gelatinous animals, like salps and pyrosomes. The amphipod uses its sharp claws to snag a salp, then rips out the soft tissues inside. But that salp is more than a meal—the amphipod carries around the carved-out carcass as its home. It even “remodels” its shelter by reshaping the barrel and secreting chemicals to toughen its tissues. Female barrel amphipods lay their eggs inside the salp and their hatchlings feast on the salp’s tissues.MBARI researchers and their collaborators are studying the hitchhiking hyperiid amphipods that live on jellies and other gelatinous animals in the midwater. MBARI Adjunct Karen Osborn and her team at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History are examining the elaborate compound eyes of Phronima sedentaria and other midwater amphipods. Common name: Barrel AmphipodScientific name: Phronima sedentariaReported depth range: surface–600 meters (2,000 feet)Size: to 4 centimeters (1.5 inches)Editor: Ted BlancoScript writer: Larissa LemonProduction team: Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun, Nancy Jacobsen StoutFor more information see:mbari.org/bioinspiration-2019-expeditionmbari.org/gulf-of-california-2015-mar-14 mbari.org/deep-piv-3d-flow Follow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_News Instagram: instagram.com/mbari_news Tumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari
Navigating STEM as an ocean software engineer | Brian Kieft MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-10-12 | Brian Kieft explains how as a software engineer at MBARI, he does a wide variety of work from coding to field deployments and driving boats—and how building radio kits and exploring the outdoors prepared him for an ocean career.Careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) include diverse roles that go far beyond the traditional scientist in a lab coat. This episode continues our video series called Navigating STEM, where we’re sharing how our staff navigated the waves on the way to a career at MBARI—and where they’re going from here. There are hundreds of paths to an ocean STEM career, and some of them may surprise you!Senior Producers: Heidi Cullen, Madison Pobis, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von ThunVideography: Madison PobisSanta Catalina Island Footage: Sally BartelGreat Lakes Footage Provided by David J. Ruck - Great Lakes Outreach MediaArchival Footage and Stills: Brian Kieft, Periscope Film LLCAir traffic control sound: digifishmusicAnimation: Midnight Snacks http://www.midnight-snacks.comMusic: Sneaking Neighbor (Pressmaster), Be the Best (Motion Array Originals), Sweet Dreams (Motion Array Originals), A New Day Begins (MetamixMusic), Underwater Adventure (Rollerbird), Facing Our Destiny (Giuseppe Vasapolli), Scientific Inquiry (pinegroove), Different Colors of Love (Draganov89)Check out MBARI for more: mbari.orgSubscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletterFollow MBARI’s exploration and discoveries: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_news/Tumblr: https://mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-
Effective and elegant: New research reveals swimming mechanics of the gossamer worm MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-09-28 | Unlike its bottom-dwelling kin, the gossamer worm (Tomopteris sp.) lives in constant motion. This ethereal worm is a graceful swimmer that “dances” through the midwater with the rhythmic paddling of its swimming legs. A new study published in Integrative and Comparative Biology this summer from MBARI researchers Joost Daniels and Kakani Katija, with collaborators Karen Osborn and her team at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, has revealed the worm’s swimming behavior in fine detail.Leveraging observations recorded in the depths of Monterey Bay by MBARI’s remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and high-speed video and sophisticated laser illumination of specimens in the laboratory, the research team could study the mechanics of the gossamer worm’s swimming more closely. They learned that a flexible body plan allows this worm to combine two different modes of propulsion to achieve effective—and elegant—swimming. This makes Tomopteris especially interesting for engineers. In the future, this worm could inspire new designs for everything from underwater propulsion to medical technology.Learn more about this incredible intersection of engineering and biology: www.mbari.org/tomopteris-swimmingPublication reference:Daniels, J., N. Aoki, J. Havassy, K. Katija, and K.J. Osborn (2021). Metachronal swimming with flexible legs: A kinematics analysis of the midwater polychaete Tomopteris. Integrative and Comparative Biology, icab059. doi.org/10.1093/icb/icab059Production team: Raul Nava, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von ThunVideo editor: Kyra SchliningMusic: Move Forward (MotionArray)Follow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_News Instagram: instagram.com/mbari_news Tumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari
Deep-sea geology rocks: Mud samples reveal the history of earthquakes and tsunamis MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-09-10 | Mud collected from the deep seafloor is helping scientists from MBARI and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) understand the geologic history of the Cascadia Subduction Zone off the coast of Oregon. Sediment cores collected by ROV Doc Ricketts reveal layers formed over thousands of years. Here, the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate is thrust beneath North America, leading to a buildup of friction. The massive release of energy when friction gives way results in megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis. The team is also getting a closer look at the biology of this dynamic region. These cores help our scientists look back in time to see when these geologic events have happened in the past and the natural processes that shape the continental margin to help Pacific Coast communities plan for the future.Production team: Madison Pobis, Susan von Thun, Cassandra BurrierVideo editor: Madison PobisFollow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_News Instagram: instagram.com/mbari_news Tumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-
Genetic probes give new clues about the stunning diversity of comb jellies MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-08-31 | Ctenophores (pronounced “TEEN-o-fours”), also known as comb jellies, mesmerize with their beauty, but these ubiquitous gelatinous animals remain poorly studied, largely due to their delicate nature. MBARI researchers are leveraging the power of genetics to learn more about comb jellies. Since comb jellies are so delicate, they can be challenging to study. MBARI uses submersibles and scuba to carefully collect these fragile, gelatinous animals. Genetic analysis of these specimens has revealed surprising details. In fact, our researchers have uncovered several new species and some familiar species aren’t who we thought from their appearance alone. This work lays the foundation for reading genetic fingerprints across the family tree of comb jellies. In the future, we'll be able to detect comb jellies by the DNA they leave behind in seawater.Learn more: mbari.org/ctenophore-geneticsChristianson, L., S. Johnson, D. Schultz, and S.H.D. Haddock (2021). Hidden diversity of Ctenophora revealed by new mitochondrial COI primers and sequences. Molecular Ecology Resources. doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.13459Production team: Raul Nava, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von ThunVideo editor: Kyra SchliningMusic: MA_Originals_Silhouettes (MotionArray)Follow MBARI on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_News Instagram: instagram.com/mbari_news Tumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-
A rare whalefish sighting with ROV Doc Ricketts MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-08-10 | This whalefish (family Cetomimidae) was spotted by Steve Haddock and his team on their recent R/V Western Flyer expedition 2,013 meters (6,604 feet) deep offshore of Monterey Bay. We've only encountered these obscure fish 16 times in 34 years of deep-sea exploration with our remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Whalefishes lack external scales and pelvic fins, and their eyes are very reduced as adults. The eyes' lenses are lost after they transform from the larval stage, along with the ability to form images. Instead of relying on sight to survive, they use an enhanced capacity to feel their surroundings. They have a highly sensitive lateral line system, with sensory pores that run over the head and down the length of the body to help them feel vibrations in the water around them. Whalefishes have rarely been seen alive in the deep and many questions remain regarding these remarkable fish. With each deep-sea dive, we uncover more mysteries and solve others. Learn about the incredible life that we find in the midnight zone: youtu.be/_-m7KwVlIQYFollow MBARI on social media:Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInewsTwitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_newsTumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.com
Weird and Wonderful: The deep-sea anglerfish is a couch potatos hero MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-08-03 | The anglerfish is one of the most famous deep-sea animals. This bulbous beast has a “fishing pole” projecting from its head. The rod is called the “illicium”, and is made from the front part of the fish’s dorsal fin. In many deep-sea anglers, the illicium has a bioluminescent bulb, called the “esca,” at the end, which it uses to attract small fishes and crustaceans. Each species has its own unique combination of rod and lure. Some have short and sturdy illicia with a small rounded esca, while others have long and thread-like illicia with a feathery esca. Each model is suited to different methods of fishing: the long, thin models are used to “trawl” for food along the seafloor, where shorter ones pull prey from the midwaters. A fish fishing for its own food might seem like an unusual choice, but this method is suited perfectly to the deep sea. In the vast and expansive waters of the midnight zone, food is few and far between. Pursuing prey would waste a lot of energy. Instead, a hungry anglerfish merely sets out its bioluminescent bait and waits. The glowing esca entices small fishes and crustaceans to come closer, then the anglerfish’s massive mouth and sharp teeth snap shut for a meal. Deep-sea anglers may be most recognizable, but there are more than 300 anglerfish species in the order Lophiiformes. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and occupy a variety of habitats—even in shallow-water reefs. Learn more on our Creature feature: mbari.org/products/creature-feature/deep-sea-anglerfish Scientific name: order LophiiformesSize: to 1.2 meters (4 feet)Depth: 300–2,500 meters (980–8,200 feet)Editor: Ted BlancoWriter: Katherine Irving Production team: Raúl Nava, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von ThunReferences:Luck, D.G. and T.W. Pietsch (2008). In-situ observations of a deep-sea ceratioid anglerfish of the genus Oneirodes (Lophiiformes: Oneirodidae). Copeia, 2008(2): 446-451. doi.org/10.1643/CE-07-075Lundsten, L., S.B. Johnson, G.M. Cailliet, A.P. DeVogelaere, and D.A. Clague (2012). Morphological, molecular, and in situ behavioral observations of the rare deep-sea anglerfish Chaunacops coloratus (Garman, 1899), order Lophiiformes, in the eastern North Pacific. Deep-Sea Research I, 68: 46–53. doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2012.05.012Follow MBARI on social media:Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInewsTwitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_newsTumblr: mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkdIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-
Deep Relaxation: Meditate to the rhythms of deep-sea fish MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-07-20 | Enjoy an extended deep relax-ocean meditation featuring a mesmerizing cloud of fish hanging around the edges of Monterey Canyon.Anchovies (Engraulis mordax) play an important role as a food source for the larger animals that make a home in Monterey Bay—including some nearby Bocaccio rockfish (Sebastes paucispinis) who take advantage of the swirling feast. This hypnotic deep-sea scene was captured on camera by the ROV Doc Ricketts at 153 meters (500 feet) deep.Video production team: Madison Pobis, Kyra Schlining, Susan von ThunVideo editor: Madison PobisMusic: Floating in the Blue (Marcus Leitner)Check out MBARI for more: mbari.orgSubscribe to MBARI’s newsletter here: mbari.co/newsletterFollow MBARI’s exploration and discoveries: Facebook: facebook.com/MBARInews/Twitter: twitter.com/MBARI_NewsInstagram: instagram.com/mbari_news/Tumblr: https://mbari-blog.tumblr.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/monterey-bay-aquarium-research-institute-mbari-
Weird and Wonderful: Some worms like it hot MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-07-01 | Pompeii worms are enigmatic animals that are only found on the surface of active hydrothermal chimneys. Their name refers to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii that was destroyed by ash raining down from an eruption of the large volcano Mount Vesuvius just miles away. Instead of being devastated by volcano-like conditions, these worms thrive in the scalding hot, mineral-rich waters at deep-sea vents.They secrete mucus that absorbs minerals dissolved in the vent fluid and hardens into parchment-like protective tubes. The worms are able to survive temperatures of 45° to 60℃ (133° to 140℉) and even up to 105℃ (221℉) for short periods of time. Unlike some of the other animals found in hydrothermal communities, Pompeii worms have bacteria covering their outer surface rather than living inside their body. A shaggy backside covered in sticky mucus supports a worm’s crop of bacteria. The worms eat the bacteria off each other’s backs and those bacteria provide thermal insulation too, protecting the worms from the scalding temperatures of the vents. The Pompeii worms are constantly slipping in and out of their tubes. Using red-orange, tentacle-like gills, they extract minerals from the hot vent, and then pop out of their tubes to access higher oxygen concentrations in the cooler waters surrounding the vents . They share their tube dwellings with a variety of other organisms. Shrimp-like amphipods and other polychaete worms, such as Hesiolyra bergi, have been found within the tubes of the colonies. How the Pompeii worms may benefit from these lodgers is still unknown. MBARI researchers and their collaborators are using samples collected from our remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Doc Ricketts to study the genetics of these unusual worms in order to determine population connectivity between vent sites along the East Pacific Rise—a mid-ocean ridge stretching from Baja California, Mexico, to Easter Island—and the Pacific Antarctic Ridge further south. Learn more on our Creature feature: mbari.org/products/creature-feature/pompeii-worm-landing-page Common name: Pompeii wormScientific name: Alvinella spp.Reported depth range: 1,500 meters–3,500 meters (4,920–11,500 feet)Size: to 15 centimeters (6 inches)Editor: Ted BlancoWriter: Larissa LemonProduction team: Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun, Nancy Jacobsen StoutFor more information see:mbari.org/products/creature-feature/pompeii-worm-landing-pagembari.org/gulf-of-california-2015-apr-21 mbari.org/gulf-of-california-2015-apr-22 Publication reference:Goffredi, S.K., S. Johnson, V. Tunnicliffe, D. Caress, D. Clague, E. Escobar, L. Lundsten, J.B. Paduan, G. Rouse, D.L. Salcedo, L.A. Soto, R. Spelz-Madero, R. Zierenberg, and R. Vrijenhoek (2017). Hydrothermal vent fields discovered in the southern Gulf of California clarify role of habitat in augmenting regional diversity. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 284: 20170817. doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.0817Jang, S.J., E. Park, W.K. Lee, S.B. Johnson, R.C. Vrijenhoek, and Y.-J. Won (2016). Population subdivision of hydrothermal vent polychaete Alvinella pompejana across equatorial and Easter Microplate boundaries. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 16: 235. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12862-016-0807-9
Live from the Deep: Explore the coral and sponge gardens of Sur Ridge MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-06-30 | During this special event on Wednesday, June 30, at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific), dive behind the scenes of MBARI’s expedition to Sur Ridge during our inaugural Live from the Deep virtual event. See live footage of the deep seafloor, ask experts from MBARI, MBNMS, and Monterey Bay Aquarium your questions, and find out what it’s really like to have a career exploring the deep ocean.Sur Ridge is a deep rocky outcrop off the coast of central California that rises 500 meters (1,640 feet) above the seafloor and supports gardens of deep-sea corals and sponges. Over the past decade, MBARI and MBNMS have partnered to explore and study this remarkable underwater oasis and better understand the growing impacts of climate change on the lush corals and sponges discovered there. Working aboard the R/V Western Flyer, researchers will use a suite of state-of-the-art marine technology, including cameras, high-resolution mapping tools, and the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Doc Ricketts, to learn more about the countless mysteries that exist in the deep sea.
Shallow vs Deep-Sea Cephs with MBARI Scientists Crissy Huffard and Ben Burford for #CephalopodWeek! MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-06-18 | The ocean’s shallow waters are filled with light and teeming with fish and plants, while the deep sea is cold, dark and sparsely populated. Though life in these environments are extremely different, you’ll find cephalopods in both. Join our livestream to learn about behaviors and adaptations these animals have developed to thrive all the way from the surface to the seafloor. Featuring Crissy Huffard and Ben Burford of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI).More Cephalopod Week content: montereybayaquarium.org/stories/cephalopod-week
One ocean connects us all MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) 2021-06-08 | This World Ocean Day, we are celebrating the global ocean that connects us all. The deep sea is the largest living space on Earth. Weird and wonderful animals thrive in this cold and dark environment. Between the sunlit surface and the deep seafloor lies an expanse of open water—the midnight zone. A dazzling diversity of creatures drift, swim, and flourish here. These animals live in a world without barriers or borders. Many of these species are found throughout the world’s ocean. For them, there is only one ocean. Our ocean and its inhabitants face a rising tide of threats. Pollution, overfishing, and climate change make for an uncertain future. At MBARI, we’re working to understand the midnight zone and how animals there will navigate these changes. Our ocean needs our help. All life—including us—depends on a healthy ocean.Learn more about the how climate change impacts our ocean and what you can do: mbari.org/climate-change mbari.org/climate-change-ocean-threatsOur conservation and education partners at the Monterey Bay Aquarium have more resources on their Act for the ocean page: montereybayaquarium.org/act-for-the-ocean/climate-changeAnimals in order of appearance:Vampyroteuthis infernalis (vampire squid)Solmissus (dinner plate jelly)Nanomia bijuga (common siphonophore)Alepisaurus ferox (longnose lancetfish)Deepstaria enigmatica (balloon jelly)Melanocetus johnsonii (black seadevil anglerfish)Atolla (red crown jelly)Bathyctena chuni (red-lipped comb jelly)Planctoteuthis danae (corkscrew squid)Tomopteris (dancing bristle worm)Helicocranchia (piglet squid)Praya dubia (giant siphonophore)Coryphaenoides (rattail fish)Writer: Susan von Thun and Raúl NavaVideo editor: Kyra Schlining Production team: Raúl Nava, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von ThunMusic: Quiet Conversation by PaBlikMM (MotionArray)
