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Newly Discovered Bright Yellow Coral Species Found in Costa Rica’s Deep Sea
A team of scientists investigating an underwater mountain range off the coast of Costa Rica has made a groundbreaking discovery—a remarkable new coral species that belongs to a completely new family. This unique bright yellow coral, resembling a branching tree, was found at depths of 360 to 529 meters below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The findings were published in the open-access journal Zookie.
During expeditions on research vessels Falcor by the Schmidt Ocean Institute in 2019 and 2023, researchers collected specimens of this extraordinary coral using a remotely operated vehicle Subastian. The expeditions explored seamounts near Coco Island and along Costa Rica’s Pacific Rim, where these corals were particularly abundant on rocky outcrops.
Referred to as the golden coral in the starry sky, this new species has captivated scientists with its beauty. Its scientific name, Laurink Elenya, is inspired by an Elvish language created by JRR Tolkien, reflecting the coral’s bright yellow color and tree-like shape.
DNA Analysis Reveals a New Coral Family
Genetic analysis of the coral’s DNA revealed that it does not belong to any previously recognized coralline families. Despite being most closely related to Eunicellidae, its genetics and anatomy are so distinct that a new family called Laurinqueidae was established to classify it.
Dr. Odariska Breedy, the principal investigator of the study from the University of Costa Rica, expressed their excitement about the discovery, emphasizing the importance of intensive molecular analysis in determining the taxonomic placement of this new species.
Unveiling the Mysteries of Costa Rica’s Deep Sea
This discovery adds to the growing list of previously undocumented species found on Costa Rican seamounts, highlighting the vast unexplored regions of the deep ocean. Coral gardens like this one play a vital role in supporting deep-sea life and environmental biodiversity, underscoring the need for further exploration and conservation efforts in these vulnerable marine ecosystems.
Source: www.sciencedaily.com
