Atacama Trench’s terrifying new resident survives at extreme 25,900 feet

The ocean covers over 70% of our planet but still remains largely unexplored. These uncharted territories are home to diverse and peculiar creatures.

In the dark oceanic depths, a new predator, dubbed Dulcibella camanchaca, has been discovered.

Scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the Instituto Milenio de Oceanografía (IMO) embarked on a daring expedition to the Atacama Trench — one of the deepest parts of the Pacific Ocean.

This creature dwells in the hadal zone, which is 6,000 meters deep (19,680 feet below the surface.) It is a zone of perpetual night and crushing pressure.

Interestingly, this is the first large, active predator of its kind to be discovered in these extreme depths.

“Dulcibella camanchaca is a fast-swimming predator that we named after "darkness" in the languages of the peoples from the Andes region to signify the deep, dark ocean from where it predates,” said Johanna Weston, a hadal ecologist and co-lead author from WHOI.

“Most excitingly, the DNA and morphology data pointed to this species being a new genus too, emphasizing the Atacama Trench as an endemic hotspot,” added Weston.

Measures 1.57 inches

This large crustacean — measuring nearly 4 centimeters (1.57 inches) — is a strong predator. It uses specialized claws to catch and eat smaller amphipods in the nutrient-poor Atacama Trench.

The Atacama Trench, located off the coast of northern Chile, is one of the deepest parts of the Pacific Ocean. It goes deep down to depths of over 8,000 meters.

This secluded habitat harbors a diverse community of species found nowhere else.

In 2023, the researchers first spotted this new species during the Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System (IDOOS) Expedition aboard the R/V Abate Molina.

To collect these creatures, scientists used a specialized tool called a lander vehicle. This untethered platform was lowered 7,902 meters (25,900 feet) into the trench. It was equipped with baited traps to lure and capture the amphipods living at this extreme depth.

After being retrieved from the ocean depths, these ghostly-looking creatures were frozen and then transported to the Universidad de Concepción.

The team conducted an in-depth analysis of these crab-like creatures' physical characteristics and genetic makeup.

“This study's collaborative effort and integrative approach confirmed Dulcibella camanchaca as a new species and highlights ongoing biodiversity discoveries in the Atacama Trench. This finding underlines the importance of continued deep-ocean exploration, particularly in Chile’s front yard,” said Carolina González, the co-lead author from the IMO.

More creatures hiding in depths

With the advancement in underwater vehicles and other tech, scientists hope to discover more peculiar-looking species hiding in the extreme oceanic depths.

Finding, studying, and conserving these species is highly important in today’s time. This will help experts understand how life adapts to extreme conditions and protect these fragile ecosystems from human-caused threats like pollution and climate change.

“Each species discovered there adds a crucial piece to the puzzle of how life has evolved and even thrives in one of Earth's most extreme environments,” the researchers noted in the press release.

The findings were published in the journal Systematics and Biodiversity.