149 new marine species discovered in Australia’s Indian Ocean
A scientific expedition has revealed at least 149 previously unknown marine species living in the deep waters surrounding Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
The recently announced discoveries were made during research voyages conducted in 2021 and 2022 aboard CSIRO’s research vessel Investigator. Scientists from Museums Victoria, CSIRO and the Australian Museum collected more than 1,000 specimens from seamounts — underwater mountains that rise from the ocean floor — located nearly 3,000 kilometres north-west of Perth.
Among the newly identified species are sea stars, sea cucumbers, worms, crustaceans and fish. Many species were found at depths reaching almost 5,000 metres below the surface. According to researchers, these findings highlight the extraordinary biodiversity hidden within some of Australia’s most remote marine environments.
The discoveries are helping to build a clearer picture of deep-sea ecosystems and will provide valuable baseline data for the ongoing management and protection of Australia’s Indian Ocean marine parks.
With hundreds more specimens still awaiting classification, scientists expect many additional discoveries in the years ahead.
