Guitar shark to octocoral: Scientists discover over 850 marine species

Scientists have discovered at least 866 new ocean species as part of a global mission to protect and accelerate the discovery of marine life called Ocean Census.

Ocean Census was launched in April 2023, a 10 year project which aims to gain more knowledge about marine species before they become extinct, according to Smithsonian Magazine. 

The newly identified creatures include everything from a guitar shark to an octocoral and were found by divers, submersibles and remotely operated robots. 

Then a collaboration of scientists analysed using techniques such as DNA sequencing, high-resolution imaging and machine learning, according to reports from Mongabay. 

Some of the discovered species include a guitar shark, dubbed the “Lost Shark Guy” and was identified by David Ebert off the coast of Mozambique and Tanzania. 

Only 38 known species of the guitar shark around the world are known to marine experts and the sea animal is considered critically endangered. 

A new octocoral was discovered by researchers in the Maldives and the name comes due to each of its polyps having eight tentacles. 

The new coral is one only five known species of the animal and the first ever recorded in the Maldives. 

A gastropod with venomous teeth was found in the waters of New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Species related to it are already under examination for pain treatments, so these venomous snails could also hold some medical potential. 

Moreover, the process of identifying species can take nearly 14 years as it involves countless steps — from the first encounter to a peer-reviewed article — something Ocean Census wants to change. 

“The ocean covers 71% of our planet, yet it is said that only around 10% of marine life has been discovered so far,” says Michelle Taylor, the principal investigator for Ocean Census, in a statement. 

“Our marine environments are facing some extraordinary challenges, and if we want to start understanding biodiversity, connectivity, the biogeography and potential loss, like how this changing climate is going to impact our marine environment, we do have to start finding quicker ways,” Taylor explained to CNN.

“Too many species remain in limbo for years because the process of formally describing them is too slow,” says Lucy Woodall, head of science at Ocean Census, told Oceanographic magazine. 

“Every new species—whether a shark or a sponge—deepens our understanding of marine ecosystems and the benefits they provide for the planet,” she added.