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November 11, 2021: Stingray

An unusual observation of a six-gilled stingray, Hexatrygon bickelli, made during the Deep-Sea Symphony: Exploring the Musicians Seamounts expedition while exploring a sonar anomaly that turned out to be a geologic formation.

Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Deep-Sea Symphony: Exploring the Musicians Seamounts. Download larger version (jpg, 1.1 MB).

An unusual observation of a six-gilled stingray, Hexatrygon bickelli, made during the Deep-Sea Symphony: Exploring the Musicians Seamounts expedition while exploring a sonar anomaly that turned out to be a geologic formation. Although these animals are found across the Pacific, scientists know almost nothing about the biology of this species. Found at approximately 835 meters (2,740 feet) of depth, this could be the first live sighting of this animal.