Scientists, students and marine lovers are seeing some strange undersea creatures discovered during the recent expedition of the research vessel Nautilus.
Hawaii News Now reports that the E/V Nautilus pulled into Honolulu Harbor yesterday, wrapping up an expedition to the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.
The vessel left from American Samoa about three weeks ago, carrying 27 scientists from across the country.
The team exploring marine life on ancient underwater volcanoes had some thrilling encounters.
A shape-shifting Deepstaria jelly had a small crustacean living inside its body.
“Inside we could see that little pink isopod, it’s a relative of the pillbug, and it measures maybe two to three inches in length,” said co-lead scientist Emil Petruncio. “We’re not sure of the relationship there. It doesn’t seem to be harming the jelly.”
The scientists also mapped the seafloor in the monument, which includes Johnston Atoll and Jarvis Island.
Kate Toniolo U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service superintendent said, “The monument encompasses over 490,000 square miles of open ocean and seven islands across the Pacific,”
Another highlight of the expedition was the sighting of a Cirrotheutid octopus on the volcanic slopes of Baker Island.
Lead co scientist Alexis Weinnig described the marine life.
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