Dulcibella
{{Short description|Deep-sea amphipod species}}
{{Speciesbox
| genus = Dulcibella
| image = Dulcibella camanchaca holotype female.png
| image_caption = Dulcibella camanchaca, holotype female
| parent_authority = Weston & González, 2024
| species = camanchaca
}}
Dulcibella camanchaca is a species of amphipod crustacean discovered in the Atacama Trench, at depths of nearly {{cvt|8,000|m}} in the South Pacific Ocean near Chile.{{Cite news |last=Sammi Caramela |date=18 December 2024 |title=Deep-Sea Predator Built for Killing Discovered 8,000 Meters Underwater |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/deep-sea-predator-built-for-killing-discovered-8000-meters-underwater/ |work=VICE News}}{{Cite news |title=Researchers discover new ocean predator in the Atacama Trench |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/researchers-discover-new-ocean-predator-in-the-atacama-trench/ar-AA1vy8bj |work=MSN}} Measuring approximately {{cvt|4|cm}} in length, this predatory amphipod is adapted to the extreme conditions of the hadal zone, making it one of the deepest-living predators identified to date.{{Cite news |last=Alex Mitchell |date=17 December 2024 |title=Deep-sea predator discovered with a body made for ‘capturing, killing and feasting’, scientists say |url=https://nypost.com/2024/12/17/science/deep-sea-predator-discovered-with-a-body-made-to-kill-study/ |work=New York Post}}{{Cite news |title=Mysterious 'Alien-Like' Creature Discovered By Scientists In Deep Ocean, Revealing Unexplored Marine World |url=https://english.jagran.com/world/mysterious-alienlike-creature-discovered-by-scientists-in-deep-ocean-revealing-unexplored-marine-worlds-10207004 |work=Jagran English}}
Taxonomy
Dulcibella camanchaca belongs to the family Eusiridae and was formally described in 2024 by marine biologists Johanna Weston and Carolina González.{{Cite news |title="Alien-like' predator found by scientists in ocean depths, named 'darkness' {{!}} The amphipod was found in the Atacama Trench |url=https://inshorts.com/en/amp_news/-alien-like--predator-found-by-scientists-in-ocean-depths--named--darkness--1734243658418 |work=Inshorts}}{{Cite news |last=Amanda Grzimel |title=Deep-sea discovery: New predator species found in Atacama trench |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/techandscience/deep-sea-discovery-new-predator-species-found-in-atacama-trench/ar-AA1vGTzG?ocid=weather-verthp-feeds&apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1 |work=MSN}} The genus name, Dulcibella, is derived from Dulcinea, a character in Don Quixote, consistent with a tradition of naming amphipods after literary figures.{{Cite news |title=Darkness unveiled: Fierce alien-like predator emerges from Earth’s deepest depths |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/techandscience/darkness-unveiled-fierce-alien-like-predator-emerges-from-earth-s-deepest-depths/ar-AA1vRokt?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1 |work=MSN}} The species epithet, camanchaca, originates from an Andean word meaning "darkness," referencing its deep-sea habitat.{{Cite news |last=Jess Thomson |date=10 December 2024 |title=Eerie 'Darkness' Predator Discovered in Deep Ocean |url=https://www.newsweek.com/new-species-crustacean-amphipod-predator-atacama-trench-deep-sea-1998549 |work=Newsweek}}{{Cite news |last=Mark Kaufman |date=17 December 2024 |title=26,000 feet undersea, scientists find a ghostly predator |url=https://mashable.com/article/deep-sea-predator-ocean-discovery-dulcibella-camanchaca |work=Mashable}}
Discovery
The species was discovered during a 2023 oceanographic expedition (Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System [IDOOS]){{Cite web |title=Chile completes the installation of its first Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System |url=https://pogo-ocean.org/news/chile-completes-the-installation-of-its-first-integrated-deep-ocean-observing-system/ |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean |language=en-GB}} that investigated the biodiversity of the Atacama Trench.{{Cite news |last=Mrigakshi Dixit |date=11 December 2024 |title=Atacama Trench’s terrifying new resident survives at extreme 25,900 feet |url=https://interestingengineering.com/science/atacama-trenchs-new-resident-at-25900-feet |work=Interesting Engineering}} The research team used advanced deep-sea exploration equipment to collect specimens from depths nearing 8,000 meters.{{Cite news |last=Divya Dhingra |date=17 December 2024 |title=Scientists Discover Alien-Like Predator in the Ocean’s Depths, Call It ‘Darkness’ |url=https://www.thetechoutlook.com/science/scientists-discover-alien-like-predator-in-the-oceans-depths-call-it-darkness/ |work=The Tech Outlook}} Four specimens of the species were obtained. The identification of D. camanchaca as a new species was confirmed through DNA analysis and detailed morphological examination.{{Cite news |date=22 December 2024 |title=Scientists discover new 'miniature' predator on seabed |url=https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/scientists-discover-new-miniature-predator-on-seabed/ar-AA1wj30A?cvid=75C5C31D7E03408B960137FDE33BC128&ocid=hpmsn&apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1 |work=WSN}}
This discovery has contributed to the growing recognition of the Atacama Trench as a region of high biodiversity and endemism.{{Cite news |date=13 December 2024 |title=Scientists caught unknown marine predator |url=https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/scientists-caught-unknown-marine-predato-1734048427.html |work=RBC Ukraine}}
Morphology and behavior
Dulcibella camanchaca is larger than most amphipods found at similar depths.{{Cite news |last=Maya Edwards |date=15 December 2024 |title=Unbelievable Deep-Sea Discovery! Meet the Alien-Like Predator that Defies Expectations! |url=https://www.scimag.news/news-en/20902/unbelievable-deep-sea-discovery-meet-the-alien-like-predator-that-defies-expectations/ |work=www.scimag.news}} It exhibits predatory behavior, using specialized appendages to capture and consume smaller crustaceans.{{Cite news |last=Dr. Emma Lee |date=12 December 2024 |title=Unveiling Darkness: Alien Predator Found in Ocean Depths Shocks Scientists Worldwide! |url=https://news.faharas.net/188289/alien-predator-discovered-in-oceans/ |work=Faharas Net}} These adaptations suggest an ecological role as an active predator in the hadal zone.{{Cite news |date=12 December 2024 |title=Creepy crustacean: Meet the deep sea predator named 'darkness' |url=https://oceanographicmagazine.com/news/newly-discovered-deep-sea-predator-crustacean-named-after-the-darkness/ |work=Oceanographic Magazine}}{{Cite news |date=17 December 2024 |title=Chile’s Deep-Sea Discovery: A Predator in the Abyss |url=https://latinamericanpost.com/science-technology/chiles-deep-sea-discovery-a-predator-in-the-abyss/ |work=Latin American Post}}
Significance
The identification of D. camanchaca highlights the ecological importance of the Atacama Trench and the potential for further discoveries in deep-sea environments.{{Cite news |last=Tommy |date=10 December 2024 |title=Newly Discovered Predator Thrives in the World’s Most Unforgiving Ocean Depths |url=https://www.opticflux.com/newly-discovered-predator-thrives-in-the-worlds-most-unforgiving-ocean-depths/70058/ |work=Optic Flux}} Continued exploration of these regions may yield insights into the adaptations and biodiversity of organisms living in extreme conditions.{{Cite news |last=Russel McLendon |date=12 December 2024 |title=Scientists Discover New Deep-Sea Predator, Name It 'Darkness' |url=https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-discover-new-deep-sea-predator-name-it-darkness |work=ScienceAlert}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from1=Q131424541|from2=Q131424539}}
Category:Animals described in 2024
Category:Monotypic amphipod genera
Category:Fauna of the Pacific Ocean