One of the new species, a female brooding on her eggs – credit, Schmidt Ocean Institute released to the press under CC 4.0.
Today’s good news story comes from The Good News Network
Deep Sea Octopus Nursery With 4 New Species Confirmed by Marine Biologists
The Schmidt Ocean Institute recently announced a set of absolutely incredible results from one of their expeditions 2 miles below the seas of Costa Rica.
Near a rocky outcrop called El Dorado Hill, the marine scientists identified four new species of octopus, photographed a rarely-seen octopus hatchery, and documented their life around a series of hydrothermal vents with video and photographs in a zone where the light doesn’t reach.
The first expedition conducted by the Schmidt Institute took place in June of last year, while the second followed in December when the team was able to confirm that these nurseries seem to be active year-round.
At the hatchery, the females were photographed incubating their eggs with their suckers, pointing out as a defense strategy. According to the Smithsonian, it can take years for the eggs to hatch this way, but the water released from the hydrothermal vents warms the area and speeds the process up.
The four species were identified and are currently being described by Dr. Janet Voight, associate curator of invertebrate zoology from the Field Museum of Natural History, and Fiorella Vasquez from the Zoological Museum at the University of Costa Rica. It has already been decided that the brooding species seen in the hatchery will be called the Dorado octopus after the site where it was found.
Three other species were identified in the immediate vicinity, but the Dorado was the only one present at the hatcheries.
“Through hard work, our team discovered new hydrothermal springs offshore Costa Rica and confirmed that they host nurseries of deep-sea octopus and unique biodiversity,” said Dr. Beth Orcutt of the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in a statement.
“It was less than a decade ago that low-temperature hydrothermal venting was confirmed on ancient volcanoes away from mid-ocean ridges. These sites are significantly difficult to find since you cannot detect their signatures in the water column.”
The Dorado octopus seems similar to a species found on the California seamount, while two others had traits that placed them reasonably close to other medium-sized members of the genus Muusoctopus. But a fourth had only a single row of suckers per tentacle and other traits that make it seem, at least for now, like an anomaly.
The science team also found a thriving deep-sea skate nursery at the top of another seamount in Costa Rican waters, nicknaming the site Skate Park.
The team also located three hydrothermal springs in the region, 10 to 30 nautical miles from each other. The springs all have different fluid temperatures and chemistries from one another, indicating unique reaction processes are facilitating their formation.
The captured specimens will not be sent back to the US but instead will be given to institutes in Costa Rica to inspire local deep-sea biologists and conservation in the future.
The good news in the article is scientists are continuing to discover that the Earth is resilient and adapts to change. Today’s John Ku talks about resilience. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Our Earth by John W.Howell ©2024
We all must be kind,
To our resilient mother . . .
Her gifts have limits.
Fiction Favorites 
Such information is always fascinating. Thank you John.
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I agree, Joy. Thank you. 😊
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These particular octopus had been featured on Planet III and called Pearl Octopus. The TV series is hosted by Sir Richard Attenborough. They didn’t mention any other new species though. They don’t move off those eggs, even though it takes up to 10 years for the eggs to fully develop. The poor things die once their young hatch.
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Sounds like parenting to the max. Thanks for sharing this fascinating info, GP. 😊
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Fascinating indeed. First of all, I didn’t realize there was an octopus farm … but then discovering video species? Wonderful. Just another example of the vast world Mother Nature gives us.
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You are very aware of this world, Frank. Your beach series brings much of it into focus for your readers. I’m always in awe of nature. Thanks. 😊
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It all makes me wonder how many things we’ve destroyed before we even knew they existed.
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That’s sad to think about, but a very good point.
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I agree.
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Yeah, so true. I’m sure the number would be shocking.
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Wherever we are, we can count on mothers.
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These guys are like mother’s squared.
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😊
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8 thumbs UP! ❤
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Agreed. 😁
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Wow. I didn’t know they had nurseries like that. What a wonderful discovery. Love your JohnKu, too.
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Thank you, Dale. Glad you liked it.
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Very much so! 🙂
Happy Friday!
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Happy Friday to you. 😊
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Thank you, kind sir!
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😁
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In that second photo, the octopi themselves look like Fabergé Easter eggs, or the decorated sugar eggs that are exchanged.
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They do at that, Linda. Amazing creatures.
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This is very interesting and educational, John. It’s good to learn that creatures on earth are making progress, in spite of all the bad things that are happening to their environment.
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I think so too, Tim. Thanks. 😁
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Amazing. I was shocked when I read we’d only explored around 5% of the oceans, so this doesn’t surprise me. Just makes me wonder what else is out there. Have a great weekend, John!
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Whatever it is I hope it is doing well.
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This is good news! I’ve never seen what a mother octopus looks like when protecting her eggs. Thank you, John.
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They do that for up to ten years. Can you imagine?
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Really! I cannot imagine.
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😳
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Amazing story, John. Octopuses fascinate me with their intelligence and behavior. I didn’t know about these hatcheries. Thank you for sharing! 😊
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I didn’t know about them either. Was good to learn something new.
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I love your JohnKu. It’s the perfect ending for the Good News story.
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I appreciate that Liz. 😁
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Wow. So cool, John. This planet is full of wonders that we’re still discovering. Your Johnku was beautiful and a much-needed reminder that we need to care for this life-giving planet. 🙂
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I agree, Diana. Thanks for the comment.
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Did you see the Netflix show ‘My Octopus Teacher?’ Octopuses are fascinating, and this is wonderful news.
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I did not see the show. I’m not a subscriber.
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I wish they would show it on regular TV. It is very good.
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I do too.
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I love all things octopi. Can never eat them – they are too intelligent and also very entertaining! The Net flix show My Octopus Teacher I recommend!
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Yes, Lois just recommended the same show. I don’t have Netflix so I miss out.
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Cool. Guess more octopi landed from their home planet recently. 😁
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Good way to look at it. I kept thinking of the movie Alien.
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Mother Nature is resilient, but hopefully we all collectively start to pull back on tasking her with so many challenges. This is good news, John!
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I agree, Bruce. Not sure anyone has the answers, but it is time to start figuring out how to help.
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This is so interesting, John! I have how nature not only adapts but is so creative in the process.
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I love that too, Denise. Thanks.
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Such great news and a fascinating article! Thanks for sharing, John!
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If you get this response, Mar. You will need to log in. Your comments are coming through as “Someone.” This is more WP foolishness.
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Your John Ku is spot on, John, but I’m buoyed by the good news’ last line that the earth is resilient. If it wasn’t for explorers, then how would we learn all this stuff.
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I’m with you, Steve. I like the fact that there are others out there doing the research. Thanks.
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Whoa…look at that octopi nursery! Amazing.
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I know right? Blows the mind.
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It is nice to see that Mother Nature is still. evolving
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And still defending.
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Fascinating. I never imagined what the eggs from an Octopus looked like. Great work from these folks!
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Yes it is. Thank you, Jan.
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Wow! Very cool info, John, and I really enjoyed the pics, too. I love octopi!! (And most nature, in general, I suppose.) Always good to learn some new stuff. Thanks for sharing! 😀 ❤
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It is always good to learn new stuff. Thanks, Marcia.
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A very interesting post. There are so many species waiting to be discovered and the deep sea is a mystery.
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Thank you, Thomas. You are so right.
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I love this! Despite humankind’s best efforts to destroy, Mother Nature will persevere and ultimately win! Thanks, John!
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Let’s hope so Jill.
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Further proof that nature always finds a way.
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And let’s hope it continues.
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Yes.
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😊
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Nice
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Thank you.
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These octopuses are so amazing. .Anita
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They are. Ten years it can take to hatch a baby.
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Discovering new species! Wow, what a thrill! And they’re so cool looking!
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So true, Betsy. Thanks.
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Fascinating article, John. And your poetry is an important reminder for us!
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Thank you, Becky.
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My pleasure, John!
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😊
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Another great ecology story, John.
Your JohnKu is right,Mother Nature has her limits.
OX OX
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we need to help. Thanks, Resa. ⭕️ ❌
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⭕️ ❌
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😊X
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