Marine biologists in February 2026 estimated they identified 28 possible new species of sea snails, urchins, anemones, and worms off the coast of what South American country?

Marine biologists recently made an exciting discovery off the coast of Argentina in February 2026, estimating they identified 28 possible new species of sea snails, urchins, anemones, and worms. This significant finding occurred during an expedition led by Dr. María Emilia Bravo of the University of Buenos Aires, aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor (too). The team explored Argentina's continental shelf, stretching from Buenos Aires in the north down to waters offshore from Tierra del Fuego in the south, revealing a surprising abundance of life in the deep sea.

The expedition's primary objective was to investigate cold seeps, areas on the ocean floor where chemicals sustain unique microbial communities and the animals that feed on them. While they did locate an active seep, researchers were particularly struck by the sheer diversity of life across the entire region, far exceeding their expectations. This underscores how much of our planet's deep-sea ecosystems remain unexplored and unknown.

Among the remarkable findings, the scientists documented the largest known *Bathelia candida* coral (Deals) reef in the world, a cold-water coral colony nearly the size of Vatican City. These deep-sea corals are crucial, providing habitat for a multitude of other organisms, including fish, crustaceans, and octopuses. The expedition also captured footage of an extremely rare phantom jellyfish, a colossal creature known to grow as long as a school bus, and located Argentina's first deep-sea whale fall, which creates a temporary ecosystem as various marine species feed on the carcass.

These discoveries highlight the immense biodiversity hidden in the deep ocean and emphasize the ongoing need for exploration and conservation efforts in these vulnerable marine environments. Each new species identified contributes vital information to our understanding of marine life and the intricate connections within Earth's ecosystems.