New Species of Reflective Jellyfish Discovered in Marianas Trench

The ocean is a vast expanse of unknown species and mysteries, and with only 5% of the ocean ever explored, there is bound to be some amazing creatures dwelling in the deep. Researchers aboard the Okeanos Explorer were exploring regions of the Marianas Trench with their submersible ROV when a particularly intriguing animal came into view. The submersible was down 2.3 miles (3,700 meters) below the surface when it spotted a glowing reflective jellyfish with what seemed to be glowing orbs inside its body. You can check out the exact video captured below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGFh3UNvuCQ

According to the Scientific American, "scientists believe this animal belongs to the genus Crossota, a group of jellies that does not have a sessile polyp stage." Further research will likely be done on the operations of this beautiful jellyfish, but right now it is thought to be an ambush predator. In terms of jellyfish, this means that it waits for a form of food to drift in between its tentacles and then snatch it up.

[Image Source: Ocean Explorer]

If you are fascinated by deep sea exploration, the team of researchers behind this footage at the NOAA live-stream every ROV video whenever it takes place. You can take a look at this live footage below, or some other views here, but you may have to wait a little bit until their next mission to watch it live during the hours of 0830 and 1630 GMT+12 each day .

https://youtu.be/zdWzZptopSQ

The team with the Okeanos explorer continues to do groundbreaking oceanography research in the Marianas trench. For now, this jellyfish is one of the most beautiful, not to mention significant, new finds behind the research team. What do you think is lying out there in the deepest trench in the world?

[Image Source: Ocean Explorer]

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