The alien-like creature that lives in the depths of the Antarctic Ocean

Previously unknown species confirmed to be feather stars

Profusion of life in the Antarctic waters

Creature found in the Antarctic Ocean

Some years ago, in the depths of the freezing Antarctic waters, a group of marine biologists aboard a research vessel, made an amazing discovery: an alien-looking creature with 20 arms.

Nine year-long expedition

The findings, published in the ‘Invertebrate Systematics Journal’ in July, were part of a nine year-long expedition that went from 2008 to 2017.

Antarctic feather stars

Such expedition had the objective of pursuing elusive sea creatures that belong to the species ‘Promachocrinus fragarius’, commonly known as Antarctic feather stars, like the one they found (pictured).

Photo: Fox13

“Otherworldly appearance when swimming”

“Although similar to other invertebrate ocean animals, like starfish and sea cucumbers, feather stars are distinct both in their large size and otherworldly appearance when swimming,” the researchers wrote in the paper.

Photo: Fox13

Deep in the ocean

Feather stars can inhabit depths ranging from 215 feet to an astounding 3,840 feet beneath the

ocean’s surface, the authors estimate.

More Antarctic feather stars

Besides the 20 armed Antarctic feather star, the team identified seven other species belonging to the ‘Promachocrinus fragarius’ that had never been previously described or named by the scientific community, the Miami Herald reported.

Previously unknown species confirmed to be feather stars

For years, specimens retrieved from earlier expeditions were suspected, though not confirmed, to belong to the group of ‘Promachocrinus’ (Antarctic feather stars) until now, an author of the study told Insider.

DNA and morphology examination

What made the classification possible was an examination of both DNA and physical morphology, or shape, of the organisms discovered, the scientists said.

Photo: Antarctic feather star captured by EVNautilius (Ocean Exploration Trust).

Potentially undiscovered sea creatures

The discoveries are a reminder of all the potentially unknown sea creatures that live in the vast oceans of our planet and examination is key, according to the researchers.

Photo: Chase Baker/Unsplash

Profusion of life in the Antarctic waters

“Comprehensive exploration will be indispensable to gaining even a basic understanding of the profusion of life within the Antarctic waters,” they concluded in the scientific article.

Photo: Henrique Setim/Unsplash