Glow-in-the-dark dragon fish and flying spaghetti monsters may seem more suited to fantasy than science.
But these are just a few of the 50 never-before-seen species discovered during an expedition off the coast of Chile.
An international team of scientists mapped 30,115 square miles (78,000 square kilometers) of seafloor. along the Salas y Gómez Mountain Range near Rapa Nui, also called Easter Island.
Along this 2,900-kilometre oceanic mountain range, researchers observed 160 species, almost a third of which were new to science.
Dr Javier Sellanes, from the Universidad Católica del Norte, said: “The surprising habitats and animal communities we have revealed during these two expeditions are a spectacular example of how little we know about this remote area.”
Researchers have found a ‘flying spaghetti monster’ (pictured) among 160 other species on an expedition along the Salas y Gómez Ridge, near Rapa Nui.
The Bathyphysa siphonophore was named after the Flying Spaghetti Monster (pictured) by oil rig workers who first encountered one because of its numerous tentacles.
The Salas y Gómez Mountain Range extends from the island of Rapa Nui in the Pacific Ocean to the coast of Chile.
This ridge is made up of 110 seamounts, underwater mountains especially rich in marine life.
This area is home to distinct ecosystems, such as glass sponge gardens and deep coral reefs, as well as supporting the migrations of animals such as whales, sea turtles and sharks.
The 40-day expedition examined 10 seamounts and two islands.
The team’s goal was to collect data on the Salas y Gómez Cordillera as part of an application for designation as a protected area on the high seas under the United Nations High Seas Treaty.
This follows the researchers’ previous expedition to the nearby Nazca and Juan Fernández Mountain Range, which found more than 100 new suspected species.
The Salas y Gómez Mountain Range is a 2,900 km (1,800 mi) oceanic mountain range that extends from Rapa Nui, also called Easter Island, towards the coast of Chile.
The researchers mapped 10 of the 110 seamounts, underwater mountains that form the ridge.
Their discoveries revealed a wide range of unique species, such as this diademed sea urchin.
Some parts of the mountain range that are within Chilean territory are already protected, but many of the seamounts are located in international waters and are not protected.
Dr. Sellanes stated: “These expeditions will help alert decision makers to the ecological importance of the areas and will contribute to strengthening protection strategies within and outside jurisdictional waters.”
Among the species in need of protection is the Bathyphysa siphonophore, a particularly strange creature often called a “flying spaghetti monster” because of its numerous tentacles.
Siphonophores, a family of animals that includes the Portuguese man-of-war, are gelatinous floaters composed of thousands of specialized parts.
While these alien creatures look like a single animal, they are actually colonies of individual organisms that perform different tasks.
The researchers also found a galactic siphonophore, a relative of the flying spaghetti monster, which uses its web of tentacles to capture fish, plankton and small crustaceans.
Siphonophores like this Galaxy Siphonophore (pictured) are colonies of highly specialized organisms that work together to form massive animals.
Researchers used a remotely operated vehicle called SuBastian to study the complex ecosystems that exist in this region of the Pacific
Another incredible animal found by researchers was the deep-sea dragonfish.
These underwater predators are known for their enormous jaws and terrifying teeth that they use to catch their prey.
This particular fish also demonstrated An impressive example of bioluminescence.
At about 1,500 m (5,000 ft), where the dragonfish makes its home, almost no sunlight can penetrate.
This means that many creatures in the so-called “batypelagic zone” produce their own light through chemical processes.
Some use this light to communicate and find a mate, while others, like the dragonfish, use their lights to attract unsuspecting prey.
The researchers also discovered a deep-sea glow-in-the-dark dragonfish (pictured), a ferocious predator that lives beyond sunlight.
Many creatures like this coronaster starfish make the rocky walls of seamounts their home due to the upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water.
Scientists found the most photosynthesis-dependent animal known, Leptoseris, commonly known as wrinkled coral (pictured).
In addition to these incredible species, researchers also found large octopuses, lobsters, starfish, and even the world’s deepest photosynthesis-dependent coral.
This great variety of life is possible thanks to the seamounts themselves that form islands of biodiversity in the depths of the ocean.
When these underwater mountains are hit by fast currents, they act like a rock in a stream, forcing water to flow up and around them.
This causes cold, nutrient-rich water at the bottom of the ocean to rise to the surface and fuel an explosion of life.
The current also carries sand from the rock surface, creating a surface to which stationary creatures such as anemones and corals can anchor.
The designation of a high seas protected area in the Salas y Gómez Mountain Range is being considered due to its high biodiversity
Some parts of the mountain range are protected by Chilean jurisdiction but others, like this coral garden, are in international waters and are unprotected.
Researchers hope their findings will help protect the Salas y Gómez Mountain Range and its wildlife, to ensure that creatures like this hydroid are not lost.
Researchers say these factors make each of the ridge’s 110 seamounts a distinct and valuable environment.
Chief Scientist Dr Erin Easton of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley said: “Observing different ecosystems on individual seamounts highlights the importance of protecting the entire ridge, not just a few seamounts.”
Although the possibility of converting the Salas y Gómez Mountain Range into a protected area is currently being considered, this change is not yet applicable under international law.
Today, 83 countries, including the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, have signed the United Nations High Seas Treaty; However, only Chile and Palau have ratified the treaty.
Only once 60 countries have joined them will countries be able to establish marine protected areas in international waters with sufficient scientific data.
Researchers hope their efforts will build a case for protecting the ridge if the law is upheld.
Dr Easton adds: “These expeditions will help alert decision-makers to the ecological importance of the areas and contribute to strengthening protection strategies within and beyond jurisdictional waters.”