New corals discovered in deep-sea study of Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park

Date:
September 9, 2020
Source:
Schmidt Ocean Institute
Summary:
For the first time, scientists have viewed the deepest regions of
the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, discovered five undescribed
species consisting of black corals and sponges, and recorded
Australia's first observation of an extremely rare fish.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
For the first time, scientists have viewed the deepest regions of the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, discovered five undescribed species
consisting of black corals and sponges, and recorded Australia's first observation of an extremely rare fish. They also took critical habitat
samples that will lead to a greater understanding of the spatial
relationships between seabed features and the animals found in the
Coral Sea.


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The complex and scientifically challenging research was completed aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor, on its fourth expedition
of the year, as part of the Institute's Australia campaign. Using a
remotely operated underwater robot to view high-resolution video of
the bottom of the ocean floor, some 1,820 meters deep, the science team examined deep sea bathymetry, wildlife, and ecosystems. The collaborative mission brought together scientists from Geoscience Australia, James Cook University, University of Sydney, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science
and Technology (JAMSTEC), Queensland Museum Network, and Queensland
University of Technology, to answer a range of questions about the
geological evolution and biology of the deep sea canyons and reefs.

"This included the most comprehensive midwater robotic dive survey
series to ever have been conducted in the South Pacific," said
Dr. Brendan Brooke, the expedition's lead scientist from Geoscience
Australia. "Research vessel Falkor has integrated a range of technologies
that have allowed us to work across the full range of ocean depths in
the Coral Sea and to provide data for multiple disciplines including
geology, biology, and oceanography." During the expedition, researchers
took the deepest samples ever collected of soft coral and scleractinian
coral in the Coral Sea. They also collected the first sample of ancient
bedrock beneath the Great Barrier Reef, estimated to be between 40 and
50 million years old. Scientists made the first recorded observation in Australia of the extremely rare fish Rhinopias agroliba , a colorful and well-camouflaged ambush predator in the scorpionfish family. The cruise
also included the most comprehensive survey of midwater jellyfish in
the South Pacific.

In addition to the underwater dives, high-resolution mapping of the
seafloor was conducted and covered 38,395 square kilometers, an area
three times greater than Sydney. The maps include all the major coral
atolls on the Queensland Plateau within the Coral Sea Marine Park and
an 80-kilometer section of canyons off the northern Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park.

"These maps, samples, and images are fascinating and provide a new understanding of the geological diversity and biological wealth of
a region that is already world-renowned for its natural beauty," said
Dr. Jyotika Virmani, executive director of Schmidt Ocean Institute. "The
data will help marine park managers to protect these ecosystems that are
so vital for our global biodiversity and human health. " Live streaming
of the 18 underwater robotic dives via Schmidt Ocean's channel on YouTube
and 112 hours of high definition underwater video during the month- long expedition, which ended August 30, allowed the science team to share
their knowledge and excitement of the voyage's discoveries with the
world. Through the livestreams, the scientists could interact directly
with the public via chat and commentary.

"Schmidt Ocean Institute and the technology that it has brought to
Australia is a huge enabler in better understanding our marine resources
from a lens of diverse disciplines," said Dr. Scott Nichol, one of the
lead expedition scientists from Geoscience Australia. "This work brings
new understanding and will keep the scientists busy for years."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Schmidt_Ocean_Institute. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


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Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200909092824.htm

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