Dulcibella
{{Short description|Species of amphipod}}
{{Excessive citations|date=June 2025}}
{{Speciesbox
| taxon = Dulcibella camanchaca
| image = Dulcibella camanchaca holotype female.png
| image_caption = Holotype specimen; female
| parent_authority = Weston & González, 2024
}}
Dulcibella camanchaca is a species of amphipod in the monotypic genus Dulcibella.{{Efn|The genus name Dulcibella derives from Dulcinea of Don Quixote, consistent with a tradition of naming amphipods after literary figures.{{Dubious|date=June 2025}}{{Failed verification|date=June 2025|reason=Original paper would be a better source}}{{Cite news |title=Darkness unveiled: Fierce alien-like predator emerges from Earth's deepest depths |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/darkness-unveiled-fierce-alien-like-predator-emerges-from-earths-deepest-depths/articleshow/116320917.cms |work=Times of India}} The specific epithet camanchaca originates from an Andean word{{Vague|reason=That is not a language|date=June 2025}} 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}}}} The species inhabits the Atacama Trench, and is found 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}} this makes it one of the deepest-living predators identified to date, being well adapted to the extreme conditions of the hadal zone.{{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}}
Discovery
The species was first observed during a 2023 oceanographic expedition,{{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}} in the process of installing the Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System (IDOOS), a network of sensors designed to aid scientific research within the Atacama Trench.{{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}} The research team used benthic landers to collect specimens from depths nearing 8,000 meters, and four specimens were used to describe the species.{{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}} Dulcibella camanchaca 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|work=MSN}} 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? |work=MSN}} 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}}{{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}}
Description
{{Expand section|actual diagnostic characters|date=June 2025}}
Dulcibella camanchaca is larger than most other amphipods found at similar depths, measuring approximately {{cvt|4|cm}} in length.{{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}} which 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}}
Notes
{{Noteslist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from1=Q131424541|from2=Q131424539}}
Category:Animals described in 2024
Category:Monotypic amphipod genera
Category:Fauna of the Pacific Ocean