A marine biology expedition in international waters off the coast of Brazil has identified 31 new species in only two weeks. The speed of discovery may be a record, thanks to a new technological breakthrough nicknamed the Squid.
A device called the Squid let scientists see living cells at sea
For the first time on a ship, researchers observed the living 3D cellular structure of microbial life. The Squid, designed and built by the science and engineering team, allowed experts to work in the ocean midwater at near-record speeds. This cutting edge tech eliminated the need to preserve samples and analyze them back on land, which normally slows down species identification.
International team worked fast in deep waters off Brazil
The expedition took place in international waters off the coast of Brazil. An international team of experts participated, using the Squid to examine tiny organisms in the midwater zone, a layer of the ocean that is difficult to study. Local people in Brazil care about these findings because the waters off their coast are rich in marine life, and new species can affect understanding of regional biodiversity, fisheries, and ocean health.
The researchers believe the speed at which the species were found and identified may be a record. The Squid enabled them to see the living 3D cellular structure of microbial life for the first time on board a ship. This breakthrough allowed the team to quickly confirm which organisms were new to science.
The discovery of 31 new species in just two weeks highlights how much of the ocean remains unexplored. The Squid technology could change how future expeditions identify marine life, making it possible to document biodiversity faster than ever before.
