First Large Deep-Sea Predatory Amphipod Discovered

Mar 08, 2025 Khushi Kumari

A previously unknown predatory amphipod, Dulcibella camanchaca, has been discovered in the deepest water

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It is the first large, active predatory amphipod to be found in the deep-sea region

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The unusual amphipod was found off the coast of Chile, in the hadal zone, one of the ocean's deepest regions

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Dulcibella camanchaca is different from other amphipods in that it is a fast and aggressive predator

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Researchers christened it Dulcibella camanchaca after "darkness" in Andean languages, symbolizing the deep, dark waters that it calls home

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The new species assists researchers to comprehend deep-sea ecosystems and how predators live in harsh environments

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