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January 15, 2021: Sea Cucumber

This transparent and unearthly creature is identified as a ‘chirodotid sea cucumber’ and was collected by remotely operated vehicle Hercules during the Benthic Communities and Their Biopharmaceutical Potential Across Mineral-Rich Marine Biomes expedition on Exploration Vessel Nautilus. By observing and identifying known species and potentially new species during the expedition, scientists are hoping to increase understanding of biodiversity in the ocean, which in turn can be used by ecologists and policy makers who are seeking to understand and mitigate potential impacts on the deep seafloor.

Image courtesy of Dr. Greg Rouse. Download larger version (jpg, 252 KB).

This transparent and unearthly creature is identified as a ‘chirodotid sea cucumber’ and was collected by remotely operated vehicle Hercules during the Benthic Communities and Their Biopharmaceutical Potential Across Mineral-Rich Marine Biomes expedition on Exploration Vessel Nautilus. By observing and identifying known species and potentially new species during the expedition, scientists are hoping to increase understanding of biodiversity in the ocean, which in turn can be used by ecologists and policy makers who are seeking to understand and mitigate potential impacts on the deep seafloor.

From: Invertebrates of the Deep Sea.