Scientists Discovered 4 New Giant Single-Celled Organisms In The Deep Pacific Ocean

Two new genera and four giant single-celled xenophyophores (protozoans belonging to a group called the foraminifera). The species were discovered during a joint project from scientists at the national geographic center, UK (NOC), University of Hawaii, and the University of Genova.

New species were collected by remotely operated vehicle Lu'ukai on an expedition to the western Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) aboard the RV Kilo Moana where the seabed in this area is about 3 miles deep. 

"We were excited to find these beautiful new xenophyophores," said Andrew Gooday, professor at NOC and lead author of the recently published findings. "It seemed appropriate to name one after 'Moana', a Hawaiian word meaning ocean. Xenophyophores are one of the most common types of large organisms found on the CCZ abyssal plains, so the name of the second genus (Abyssalia) was chosen to reflect this."

Xenophyophores construct shells, called tests, which they obtain particles from the surrounding environment. These structures can grow up to 4 inches or more.

moanammina semicircularis, new species, new species of pacific ocean

Abyssalia, new species, new species of pacific ocean

The new species of the new genus Moanammina semicircularis sp. nov. has a stalked, fan-shaped test, of three inches tall and three and one-half inches wide. Two other new species, Abyssalia foliformis sp. nov. and Abyssalia sphaerica sp. nov., have tests that resemble a flat leaf and an almost perfect sphere. They are remarkable for being constructed entirely of glass sponge spicules. The fourth new species is Psammina tenuis sp. nov., which has a delicate, thin, plate-like test.

"These four new species and two new genera have increased the number of described xenophyophores in the CCZ abyss to 17 (22% of the global total for this group), with much more known but still undescribed," said Gooday. "This part of the Pacific Ocean is clearly a hotspot of xenophyophore diversity."

"The abundance and diversity of these giant single-celled organisms is truly amazing!" added Craig Smith from the UH Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), co-author and Chief Scientist of the RV Kilo Moana cruise on which the xenophyophores were discovered.

"We see them everywhere on the seafloor in many different shapes and sizes. They clearly are very important members of the rich biological communities living in the CCZ. Among other things, they provide microhabitats and potential food sources for other organisms. We need to learn much more about the ecology these weird protozoans if we wish to fully understand how seafloor mining might impact these seafloor communities."

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