GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS — Scientists have formally described a new deep-sea octopus species, Microeledone galapagensis, using micro-computed tomography scanning. The description of the species, published by biologist Janet Voight and colleagues in the May 25 issue of Zootaxa, marks the first time an octopus species has been identified exclusively with computed tomography scanning, without dissection of the specimen.
Researchers first encountered the octopus during a 10-day expedition in 2015, observing a small, dark blue octopus in sediment at approximately 1,800 meters depth on a Galápagos seamount. They used a remotely operated submersible to capture one of the four individuals observed. The research team then transported the captured octopus to the Field Museum in Chicago.
The captured specimen measures approximately 10 centimeters in length and is a fully grown adult with a pale body and dark blue arms and webbing. The specimen also contains a complete set of arm suckers and 13 eggs in its ovaries. Scientists used micro-computed tomography to create three-dimensional models of the octopus organ systems, which then aided in species identification.
Voight, a curator at the Field Museum, said, "A juvenile-sized body could increase the rate of reproduction by shortening the time from hatching to first eggs." Voight said, "Its short, stubby arms might be built for digging." She said, "When the octopus is digging in the sediment for prey, she may stimulate those prey items to bioluminescence."
One other species in the Microeledone genus has been previously identified in waters off New Caledonia in the South Pacific. Researchers suggest that other species in the genus may inhabit waters between New Caledonia and the Galápagos. Voight added, "The Pacific Ocean is unimaginably immense, and every part of it contains animal life from the surface to the seafloor." She said, "This specimen highlights that unknown diversity."