Scientists have identified a new predator in the hadal zone, the deepest part of the ocean. The creature, named Dulcibella camanchaca, was found at a depth of nearly eight kilometers in the Atacama Trench off the coasts of Chile and Peru. The discovery came during the 2023 Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System expedition, where researchers collected four specimens.
Dulcibella Camanchaca: A Specialized Hunter
The newly discovered animal is a shrimp-like amphipod measuring about 4 centimeters. Despite its small size, Dulcibella camanchaca is described as “a relentless predator, specially adapted to survive—and hunt—in the complete darkness of the ocean’s depths.” It uses prehensile appendages, functioning like dexterous claws, to actively hunt other amphipods nearby. This adaptation allows it to thrive in conditions with no light and immense pressure.
Co-director of the study published in Systematics and Biodiversity, Johanna Weston from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, explained the choice of name: “We named it after the word for ‘darkness’ in the Andean languages, which perfectly captures the shadowy realm where it thrives.” Weston noted that the species is not only surviving but “thriving in the very heart of darkness.”
New Genus Expands Understanding of the Hadal Zone
The discovery represents not just a new species but a new genus. This is considered significant in marine biology because, as the researchers notes, “a genus…is a broader category than a species—it encompasses a group of species that share certain characteristics.” Identifying a new genus is seen as “like uncovering an entirely new branch on the tree of life, one that had been hidden in the depths of the ocean until now.”
Carolina González, also co-director of the study, said, “These hadal zones are teeming with life forms that we can barely even imagine. The ecosystems we find there are unique, and we must continue exploring and protecting them from human interference.”
Biodiversity and Vulnerability in the Abyss
Previous assumptions suggested the hadal zone was nearly barren. The discovery of Dulcibella camanchaca challenges that idea, revealing “a world of its own, with bizarre creatures adapted to the extreme conditions of deep-sea life.” Improved exploration technology is helping scientists understand the diversity in these environments, though much remains unexplored. According to the research, every new find raises more questions about how such organisms survive in “such a hostile world.”
The study highlights that many species in these deep-sea environments are highly specialized and “could be threatened by human activity,” including deep-sea mining and climate change. González states, “Dulcibella camanchaca is a glimpse into a world we still don’t fully understand…we need to continue our efforts to protect these ecosystems, as they are an integral part of the planet’s biodiversity.”
The ocean’s hadal zones remain among Earth’s least explored regions. Discoveries such as this amphipod help reveal “more about life’s resilience and adaptability.” With the improvement of research technology and continued exploration, scientists expect that more discoveries will shed light on how life survives at such depths.
