Top 10 new marine species (earthsky.org)

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On March 19, 2021, the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) released its annual list of the top 10 new marine species described by researchers during the year 2020. This year’s list of newly-described ocean species includes the E.T. sponge, fighting Elvis worms, the tiny tree-of-life tardigrade, and the Patrick sea star.

In the opening sequence of the BBC documentary series Blue Planet II, David Attenborough says:

The oceans cover 70% of the surface of our planet, and yet they are still the least explored. Hidden beneath the waves, there are creatures beyond our imagination.

We don’t know how many species exist in the oceans. An incredible number have never been encountered by humans at all. In labs, museums, and out in the field, taxonomists – scientists who name, describe and classify organisms – are busy collecting, cataloging, identifying and comparing marine species, including fish, crustaceans, mollusks, corals, sponges, jellies and worms, new to science. The WoRMS Top 10 List, selected by taxonomists and science journal editors, is just a small highlight of almost 2,000 fascinating new marine species discovered every year.

Here’s the 2020 list, with the WoRMS descriptions of the species:

1. The E.T. Sponge



The E.T. Sponge, Advhena magnifica, was spotted by a team of NOAA explorers that were searching the sea floor of the Pacific Ocean. Over 1 1/4 miles (2 km) below the surface, the explorers were amazed to come across a deep-sea environment studded with strange and beautiful animals that looked more like an alien landscape than something found on Earth. This area was dubbed the Forest of the Weird in reference to many forms of gorgeous, delicate glass sponges seen growing along the sea floor like an alien forest.

Among these strange glass sponges was the new species Advhena magnifica (Latin for “magnificent alien”). Growing high on its stalk like an elongate mushroom, the sponge is adorned with large openings that face into the current so it can filter small food items from the water. The round body of the sponge with its two openings looking like eye sockets was reminiscent of the head of the alien from the beloved movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and earned this sponge its common name, the E.T. Sponge. Read more.

2. The Patrick Sea Star
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more: https://earthsky.org/earth/top-10-new-marine-species-2020
http://www.marinespecies.org/index.php