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Scientists May Have Discovered 20 New Species in 'Twilight Zone'

Scientists May Have Discovered 20 New Species in 'Twilight Zone'

Summary

Scientists from the California Academy of Sciences studied deep coral reefs near Guam and discovered up to 20 new species. They used autonomous monitoring devices to gather data on biodiversity and temperature changes over several years in an ocean area known as the "twilight zone."

Key Facts

  • Scientists discovered up to 20 potential new species in deep coral reefs near Guam.
  • The study took place in the ocean's "twilight zone," which is 100 to 490 feet deep.
  • Divers face challenges in studying these depths because of limited time underwater and long decompression requirements.
  • Researchers used devices called ARMS to passively collect data over about eight years.
  • They retrieved 13 monitoring devices, capturing a wide range of marine life data.
  • 2,000 specimens were collected, with 100 species observed in the region for the first time.
  • The study also gathered three years of temperature data from these depths, helping to understand climate impacts.
  • The findings aim to help conservation efforts by providing a baseline of biodiversity in these deep ocean areas.
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