A New Species of Feather Star with 20 Arms Discovered in the Antarctic Ocean
Scientists have discovered a new species of feather star, a type of marine invertebrate, in the depths of the Antarctic Ocean. The new species, named Promachocrinus fragarius or the Antarctic strawberry feather star, has a distinctive body shape that resembles a strawberry with 20 arms branching off from it. The study describing the new species was published in the journal Invertebrate Systematics.
Feather stars are related to starfish, sea urchins, and other echinoderms, but they have some unique features. They have a central body called a calyx, which can have various shapes and colors. They also have arms that can be used for feeding, swimming, or attaching to the substrate. Feather stars are among the oldest living animals on Earth, dating back to the Paleozoic era.
The Antarctic strawberry feather star was discovered by a team of researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. The researchers were studying the diversity and evolution of a genus of feather stars called Promachocrinus, which are endemic to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean. They collected specimens from various locations and depths using nets and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) during several expeditions between 2008 and 2017.
The researchers identified eight species of Promachocrinus, including four new ones, based on their morphology and DNA analysis. The Antarctic strawberry feather star was one of the most striking discoveries, as it has a large calyx that can range in color from purplish to dark reddish. It also has 20 arms that can be divided into two types: lower arms that are shorter and bumpy, and upper arms that are longer and feathery. The new species can be found from 65 to 1170 meters deep in the Antarctic Ocean.
The researchers named the new species after the Latin word for strawberry, fragaria, because of its resemblance to the fruit. They also noted that the new species can change its color depending on the environment or its mood. The researchers hope that their study will shed more light on the biodiversity and ecology of feather stars in the Antarctic region, which is still largely unexplored and under threat from climate change and human activities.
The Antarctic strawberry feather star is not the only fascinating creature that lives in the Antarctic Ocean. The region is home to many other unique and diverse animals, such as icefish, penguins, seals, whales, krill, and giant sea spiders. The Antarctic Ocean is one of the most important ecosystems on Earth, as it regulates the global climate, stores carbon dioxide, and supports a rich food web⁴. However, the Antarctic Ocean is also facing many challenges, such as warming temperatures, melting ice, overfishing, pollution, and invasive species. Therefore, it is crucial to protect and conserve this fragile and vital environment for the future.
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(1) Massive sea creature with 20 arms attached to a strawberry-shaped body .... https://www.wionews.com/science/large-sea-creature-with-20-arms-found-in-antarctic-ocean-624539.
(2) Scientists Discover 20-Arm 'Antarctic Strawberry Feather Star' - Gizmodo. https://gizmodo.com/antarctic-strawberry-feather-star-20-arms-discovered-1850730199.
(3) Large creature with 20 arms found lurking in Antarctic sea - Sasquatch .... https://bing.com/search?q=Massive+sea+creature+with+20+arms+attached+to+a+strawberry-shaped+body+found+in+Antarctic+Ocean.
(4) Large creature with 20 arms found lurking in Antarctic sea - Sasquatch .... https://sasquatchchronicles.com/large-creature-with-20-arms-found-lurking-in-antarctic-sea/.
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