The National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) reported on Thursday that Argentine scientists have identified 57 previously unknown marine species and five new genera during a deep-sea expedition in the Mar del Plata underwater canyon.
The samples were collected as part of the 'Slope 4' expedition, and their analysis and classification took over a year, according to CONICET.
Researchers identified 57 species that may be new to science. Preliminary results include 20 copepod species, 22 echinoderm species, 14 cnidarian species, and one scaphopod mollusk. Additionally, five new genera of corals, sea cucumbers, and crustaceans were discovered.
Among these discoveries is a deep-sea sea cucumber named 'Loki' after the Norse god, due to its protrusions resembling horns. The 'Slope 4' expedition lasted 21 days, starting on July 23. Researchers from several Argentine universities and scientific institutions surveyed the canyon from a research vessel using underwater exploration equipment.