A deep-sea canyon yielded 57 new marine species
taxonomist
A scientist who identifies, names, and groups living things.
genus
A group that contains several closely related species.
Ocean Census
An international program that discovers and records ocean life.
What happened
Scientists have identified 57 marine species and five new genera from samples collected in Argentina’s Mar del Plata Canyon. The announcement came from the Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census, an international marine-life discovery program, and the Schmidt Ocean Institute, a nonprofit ocean-research organization. Parts of the canyon exceed 3,500 meters in depth. It has been described as nearly twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Ocean Census announcement
How the discovery was made
Most samples came from an expedition in August 2025. The research vessel Falkor (too) carried the remotely operated vehicle SuBastian. The underwater robot helped scientists explore the canyon and collect deep-sea samples.
The specimens were examined during an international workshop in Buenos Aires. The workshop ran from July 13 to July 24, 2026. It brought together 20 taxonomists and early-career researchers from Latin America and Europe. Taxonomists study how living things are identified, named, and grouped.
This was not a case of naming 57 animals instantly. Scientists compared the specimens with known groups. They used several taxonomic methods to identify differences. The result was a set of organisms considered new to science.
What the 57 species include
The discoveries included 20 copepod species. Copepods are tiny crustaceans. There were also 22 echinoderm species, including sea cucumbers and crinoids. Fourteen cnidarian species included octocorals, sea pens, and stony corals. One species belonged to the scaphopod mollusks. The numbers add up: 20 + 22 + 14 + 1 = 57.
One striking animal is “Loki the Sea Cucumber.” Researchers used the nickname because it has horn-like appendages. Its current label is Peniagone sp. That label places it in a genus, but does not provide a final species name. The team also identified five new genera spanning corals, sea cucumbers, and crustaceans.
Why it matters
The deep sea remains difficult to study. Scientists cannot easily observe every habitat or compare every specimen. The workshop therefore did more than produce a number. It connected international experts with early-career researchers and helped local scientists build taxonomy skills.
The findings also suggest that much biodiversity remains undocumented. In the copepod collection, scientists examined only about 10 percent of the samples. Every specimen examined was reported as new to science. That result makes the unexamined material especially important.
Knowing which organisms live in a canyon creates basic evidence for future research and conservation planning. The records are being entered into Ocean Census NOVA, an open-access platform for newly discovered marine species. Specimens will be kept in national collections, including Argentina’s Bernardino Rivadavia Natural Sciences Museum.
What is confirmed—and what is not
The current announcement confirms the workshop’s identification of 57 species and five genera. It does not mean every organism already has a final scientific name, full description, or known range. The use of Peniagone sp. shows that some discoveries still have work ahead.
What to watch next
Scientists will continue examining the remaining material. A follow-up expedition is planned for February and March 2027. It will explore another submarine canyon suspected to contain many species found nowhere else. The next important updates will be the final names, descriptions, distributions, and any increase in the 57-species count.
Scientists found 57 new kinds of ocean life
📰 Full story: A deep-sea canyon yielded 57 new marine species
Researchers studied deep-sea samples from an Argentine canyon. They found many kinds unknown to science.
submarine canyon
A deep valley on the ocean floor.
taxonomist
A scientist who sorts living things into groups.
genus
A larger group containing related species.
💡 The gist
- Scientists identified 57 new marine species.
- The samples mainly came from a 2025 expedition.
- More samples remain, so the list may grow.
A submarine canyon is a deep valley on the ocean floor. Argentina’s Mar del Plata Canyon has areas deeper than 3,500 meters.
The Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census is an international program. It searches for and records ocean life. The Schmidt Ocean Institute supports ocean research.
Most samples came from an August 2025 expedition. A research ship carried SuBastian, a remotely operated underwater robot. The robot helped explore the canyon and collect samples.
Researchers met in Buenos Aires from July 13 to July 24, 2026. Twenty taxonomists and early-career researchers joined them. Taxonomists study how living things are named and grouped.
The scientists compared each sample with known organisms. They checked whether the features matched. This process showed which organisms were new to science.
The 57 species belonged to four broad groups. Twenty were copepods, which are tiny crustaceans. Twenty-two were echinoderms, including sea cucumbers. Fourteen were cnidarians, including corals. One was a scaphopod mollusk.
Researchers nicknamed one sea cucumber “Loki.” It has horn-like parts. Its final species name may still be undecided.
Scientists also identified five new genera. A genus is a larger group containing related species. These five genera are not five extra species.
Why did scientists find so many? The deep sea is difficult to study. In one copepod collection, researchers checked only 10 percent. Every checked specimen was new to science.
Scientists have not checked everything yet. The specimens will be preserved in Argentine collections. The discoveries will enter Ocean Census NOVA, an open database. A 2027 expedition is also planned. Researchers will watch whether more species appear.
Scientists found 57 new sea creatures
📰 Full story: A deep-sea canyon yielded 57 new marine species
They looked in a very deep ocean valley near Argentina.
SuBastian
A robot that works under the sea.
Ocean Census
A group that looks for ocean life.
The ocean floor has a deep valley. It is near Argentina.
Ocean Census is a group that looks for ocean life. Scientists sent SuBastian, a sea robot, underwater. The robot brought some creatures back.
Twenty scientists looked at them. They compared each creature with known creatures. They found 57 new kinds.
Some new kinds were sea cucumbers. One had horn-like parts. Scientists called it Loki.
They also found five bigger sorting groups. These groups can hold several kinds.
Scientists have not checked every sample. More new creatures may appear later.