Scientists aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too) made a significant discovery off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, identifying at least four new deep-sea octopus species. These findings were a result of two expeditions in 2023 focusing on examining seamounts in the region. Among the discoveries were two octopus nurseries associated with hydrothermal springs, indicating a rich and diverse marine life in these deep-sea environments.
The expeditions, led by Dr. Beth Orcutt from the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and Dr. Jorge Cortés from the University of Costa Rica, have provided valuable insights into the unique biodiversity of Costa Rica’s deep-sea regions. One of the newly identified species, named the Dorado Octopus, was found near an outcrop of rock unofficially called El Dorado Hill. This particular species, along with the others, is currently being described by experts in the field, including Dr. Janet Voight from the Field Museum of Natural History and Fiorella Vasquez from the University of Costa Rica’s Zoological Museum. The discoveries highlight the importance of deep-sea exploration in understanding and conserving marine biodiversity.