A new study has confirmed that a palm-sized blue octopus first observed off the Galápagos Islands in 2015 has been classified as a new species of deep-sea octopus.
The species, named Microeledone galapagensis, was discovered during a deep-sea expedition conducted by the research vessel EV Nautilus.
During the mission, the crew explored the seafloor near Darwin Island in the northern part of the Galápagos archipelago using a remotely operated underwater vehicle. At a depth of approximately 1,773 meters, the cameras captured footage of an unusual octopus with distinctive coloration and morphology.
In the following stages, researchers collected samples and documented several individuals. The octopus, roughly the size of a golf ball, drew particular attention from scientists. Detailed analysis, including computed tomography (CT) scanning, revealed high-resolution images of its internal anatomy, including its mouth structure and organ systems.
The findings confirmed that the organism represents a previously unidentified species.
Researchers emphasize that this discovery highlights how little is still known about the waters surrounding the Galápagos Islands and how large portions of deep-sea ecosystems remain unexplored.
