NOAA Scientists Identify Deep-Sea 'Golden Orb' as Anemone Remnant
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A mysterious golden object discovered over two miles deep in the Gulf of Alaska has been identified as the remnant of a giant deep-sea anemone. The specimen was collected and studied by NOAA researchers, with genetic sequencing confirming its identity. The findings contribute to cataloging deep-sea biodiversity.
Facts First
- NOAA researchers identified a deep-sea 'golden orb' as the remnant of a giant anemone, Relicanthus daphneae.
- The discovery was made over 2 miles deep in the Gulf of Alaska during the Seascape Alaska 5 expedition.
- Whole-genome sequencing confirmed the specimen's identity after initial DNA barcoding was inconclusive.
- The specimen was collected and sent to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for study.
What Happened
Researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) spotted a 'golden orb' during their Ocean Exploration program in 2023. The object was discovered over 2 miles (3,250 meters) deep in the Gulf of Alaska by the Okeanos Explorer ship during the Seascape Alaska 5 expedition. Scientists determined that the golden mass is a remnant of dead cells from the base of a giant deep-sea anemone, Relicanthus daphneae. The bright leftovers are believed to be the part of the anemone that attached to the rock substrate. The research team collected the orb using a suction sampler and sent the specimen to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for examination and study.
Why this Matters to You
This discovery may contribute to a better understanding of the biodiversity in deep-sea environments, which are largely unexplored. Cataloging such life forms helps scientists map the ocean's ecosystems, which could inform future conservation efforts and our knowledge of the planet's biological diversity.
What's Next
The specimen is at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for further study. The research, led by zoologist Allen Collins, Ph.D., director of NOAA Fisheries’ National Systematics Laboratory located within the Smithsonian, may lead to more detailed publications on the species and its habitat.