New animal discovery off Antarctica
Scientists have found 8 different species off the coast of Antarctica
Researchers aboard an exploration ship have discovered an unprecedented animal species near the shores of Antarctica. The discovery, dubbed the Antarctic Strawberry Feather Star, was made during a study conducted from 2008 to 2017. Details of the discovery were recently published in the journal Systematic Invertebrates.
The animal is closely related to starfish and sea cucumbers, and shares many characteristics with them. However, the strawberry feather is notable for its size – much larger than that of a starfish – and its unique appearance, which is often referred to as “strange” in the international media.
Greg Ross, a member of the research team that identified the new species, compared the animal’s appearance to that of a strawberry. With 20 minute arms, this animal can reach 20 cm in length.
While exploring the Antarctic coast, scientists discovered eight distinct species. These creatures swim in a unique way that differs from other known marine species. It lives at a depth of about 20 meters below sea level, and its color varies from beige to dark red. Characterization of these species has been made possible by recent technological advances and DNA analysis.