A ghostly encounter with a friendly Casper octopus! The science and engineering teams recently conducted a test dive to ensure that ROV SuBastian is in top shape after a brief maintenance period out of the water. Everyone was ecstatic to reach the seafloor just in time to collect stunning footage of this enigmatic cephalopod.
Discovered in 2016 and nicknamed Casper, the species has not been scientifically described or formally named, as no one has collected a specimen yet. The first collected sample of a species is very important: it is called the holotype, and taxonomists use that one specific sample as a reference for questions about identity or naming. Holotypes are usually preserved in public collections to remain available for others to study and reference.
While little is known about this species, scientists do know that it is one of two octopuses found in the Ocean’s abyssal zone. The observation in this clip took place at 4,443 meters depth, almost three miles below the Ocean’s surface. According to a 2016 paper (link in bio) by Purser et al., Casper octopuses attach a clutch of about 30 eggs — each the size of a U.S. quarter — to the stalks of dead sponges. Then, they wrap their bodies around their eggs and protect them until they hatch. They do not eat during the process, which can take several years. When the hatchlings emerge, the parent dies. To the researchers of the paper, this breeding strategy places these octopuses in great danger if efforts to advance deep-sea mining are successful. The process could destroy a fragile and slow-growing ecosystem on which these curious animals depend for reproduction and survival.
The #NazcaHighSeas expedition team is working along a chain of underwater mountains that harbor remarkable biodiversity. Many experts in marine protection and policy believe that the Nazca and Salas y Gómez Ridges are a top priority for designation as one of the world’s first high-seas marine protected areas, and this expedition will provide baseline scientific data to inform decision-making and policy in the region.
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