A New Species of Tiny Octopus Was Discovered in the Galapagos Islands

A tiny blue octopus from deep sea waters off the Galápagos Islands was found near Darwin Island at a depth of 1,773 meters. The animal was first spotted in 2015 during a deep-sea expedition using a remotely operated underwater vehicle to survey the seafloor. Researchers recovered the specimen and filmed additional individuals, but could not determine its species because only one comparable specimen had been collected. To avoid dissecting a valuable sample, researchers used x-ray computed tomography to generate thousands of micro-scans and assemble them into a 3D model. The model enabled detailed observation of external and internal features, including tentacle structure, skin pigmentation, and a funnel-shaped organ.

"To overcome this problem, the authors used x-ray computed tomography to create and assemble thousands of CT micro-scans, which then allowed them to create a 3D model of the blue octopus, both internally and externally. The researchers were able to observe the most minute details, from the tentacles (squat, with few suckers) to the smooth skin (almost devoid of pigment on the back) to a specific funnel-shaped organ, thus obtai"

"However, to determine whether an animal belongs to a new species requires a complete analysis of all its body parts, and since the blue octopus was the only one of its kind ever collected, the experts did not want to dissect and thus lose such a valuable specimen."

"From there, marine biologists used a remotely operated underwater vehicle (RoV) to explore the ocean floor near Darwin Island, at the northern end of the Galápagos archipelago. As the RoV's camera moved across the seafloor near an underwater slope at a depth of 1,773 meters (5,817 feet), they noticed the tiny octopus with its vibrant blue coloring."

"The octopus was first spotted in 2015 during a deep-sea expedition aboard the research vessel E/V Nautilus. From there, marine biologists used a remotely operated underwater vehicle (RoV) to explore the ocean floor near Darwin Island, at the northern end of the Galápagos archipelago."

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