What new marine species, a shimmering, scale-covered worm, was described by scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in November 2025 and made the 'Top 10 New Marine Species' list in March 2026?

Deep in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California, scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography recently unveiled a remarkable new marine species: Iskra's glitter worm, scientifically known as Photinopolynoe iskrae. This shimmering, scale-covered polychaete worm was officially described in a study published in November 2025, capturing the attention of the scientific community and beyond. The discovery highlights the incredible biodiversity still hidden in the ocean's depths, reminding us how much remains to be explored and understood.

The worm’s captivating name, "Iskra," meaning "spark," was not chosen by a marine biologist but by a high school student, Maja Young. She won the 'Inspired by the Deep' competition, which encouraged participants to connect deep-sea elements with environmental solutions. Young named the species after her childhood dog, a touching tribute for a creature that truly sparkles. Iskra's glitter worm is particularly fascinating because it thrives in a variety of unusual deep-sea environments, including whale falls, wood falls, and methane seeps. These diverse habitats, despite their differences, all rely on chemosynthetic bacteria for energy, rather than sunlight.

The significance of Iskra's glitter worm was further recognized in March 2026 when it made the prestigious 'Top 10 New Marine Species' list, released annually by the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) on Taxonomist Appreciation Day. This list celebrates some of the most remarkable new species described in the preceding year. The research behind Iskra's glitter worm was led by Scripps Oceanography graduate students Avery Hiley and Kiirah Green, alongside Professor Greg Rouse, showcasing the ongoing efforts to document and understand Earth's vast marine ecosystems.