Trove of new horror species discovered in Australian abyss

[WillParkinson]

https://www.cnet.com/au/news/new-ocean-horrors-discovered-in-the-abyss/

Including a living dildo!

****

What lurks in the ocean's abyssal depths? That was the question the crew of research vessel RV Investigator sought to answer in a month-long expedition exploring Australia's eastern abyss for the first time.

The Marine National Facility boat was led by Museums Victoria, along with CSIRO and other research bodies, and departed mid-May from Launceston, Tasmania, docking in Brisbane, Queensland on Friday, June 16.

"The abyss is the largest and deepest habitat on the planet, covering half the world's oceans and one third of Australia's territory, but it remains the most unexplored environment on Earth," said Museums Victoria senior curator Tim O'Hara on the voyage's departure.

At 4,000 metres down in the ocean, the abyssopelagic zone has been difficult to explore. It is so deep no light can penetrate it, and consequently extremely cold. Moreover, the pressure at that depth is crushing. So far, only a small number of samples have been collected from Australia's abyss -- but there is much to learn from them.

[HAB911]

1. Ironically, it can reproduce asexually

That ain't right!

[WillParkinson]

2. Dildo don't need no man/woman

Ironic, isn't it?

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. "shrinks when threatened"

[WillParkinson]

8. Oh, honey....

Don't we all?

[forgotmylogin]

3. Crossing "Bottom of the Ocean" off places to visit...

The bottom of the ocean is full of Lovecraftian HR Giger horror!

I mean SERIOUSLY.

Sea spider???


...uses its perfectly arranged teeth to take “cookie sized” chunks out of its prey which includes bigger fish, whales and sometimes humans WHAT.


"Flesh eating crustacean"


WTabsoluteF ?



Okay, this one is from a Cthulhu art book, but you believed it for a second, didn't you, after seeing all the real ones???

[Skittles]

4. just so many freaking critters in Australia

[WillParkinson]

5. I know!

I have friends from there. Which proves your point, I guess.

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. The eldritch horror of the deep sea ...

Mitch McConnell!!!!