New species of blue octopus discovered 5,900 feet underwater
Summary
Scientists discovered a new species of small blue octopus 5,900 feet under the sea near the Galapagos Islands. They used CT scans to study the octopus’s body without harming it and named it Microeledone galapagensis.Key Facts
- The octopus was found near Darwin Island in the Galapagos, about 5,900 feet underwater.
- It is tiny enough to fit in the palm of a hand and has a rare blue color on top and deep purple underneath.
- Scientists from the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Field Museum in Chicago studied the octopus.
- They used thousands of X-ray images to create a 3D model of the octopus’s insides without cutting it open.
- The octopus belongs to the Megaleledonidae family but is much smaller and has unique physical traits.
- Its color pattern helps it hide from predators by covering its prey with its dark webbing.
- New octopus species are often found in deep, unexplored parts of the ocean, which cover much of the Earth’s surface.
- This discovery is part of ongoing research about octopus species found worldwide.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.