The world’s largest amphipod, Alicella Gigantea, may be more prevalent than previously believed
Maroni et al./Royal Society Open Science
These colossal crustaceans, resembling oversized white shrimp, are far more prevalent in the deep ocean than commonly thought, with their habitats extending across much of the seabed.
“For a long time, we’ve labeled this species as rare. We often categorize everything in the deep sea as rare,” says Paige Maroni from the University of Western Australia. “However, the reality is that these species may actually be more interconnected than we previously realized.”
The crustacean Alicella Gigantea holds the title of the largest amphipod globally, reaching lengths of up to 34 centimeters. Despite its size, this “super giant” residing on the ocean floor has proven elusive. “Accessing the deep sea is exceedingly challenging, and sampling has historically been limited, but we’re finally making progress,” Maroni explains.
Maroni and her team gathered 75 records of A. Gigantea, tracing back to the species’ first specimen collection in 1899. Their findings included notable discoveries in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. They also employed DNA sequencing from specimens across these oceans to map out genetic relationships among various populations.
The specimens they gathered came from depths ranging between 3,890 to 8,931 meters, with estimates indicating that approximately 59% of the seabed lies within this depth range. Although the genetic data is dispersed over this extensive area, it predominantly indicates one genetically consistent species, suggesting broader population connections.
Maroni’s findings imply that these crustaceans may inhabit a much larger area of the seabed than previously presumed. The figure of 59%—based solely on depth—represents the most extensive habitat range identified so far, underscoring our limited understanding of these remarkable creatures.
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Source: www.newscientist.com