Brief
Scientists name new deep‑sea coral and create a new family
The coral, found 360‑529 m deep near Isla del Coco, is the first member of a newly described family.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Researchers surveying seamounts off Costa Rica have described a bright‑yellow, branching coral that does not fit any known coral family. The organism, collected at depths of 360‑529 m during 2019 and 2023 expeditions, has been assigned to a new genus, Laurinque, and a new family, Laurinqueidae, according to a paper in ZooKeys.
What happened
Specimens were retrieved using the remotely operated vehicle SuBastian from rocky outcrops where brittle stars covered most surfaces. Some colonies measured over a metre in height. The coral’s vivid yellow branches stood out against the star‑filled backdrop, inspiring the Elvish‑language name: “Laurinque” means “golden tree” and the species epithet “elenya” means “of the stars”.
What the reports add
Initial DNA sequencing of three standard coral genes gave conflicting family assignments. Researchers therefore applied phylogenomics, comparing hundreds of genes, which placed the species in a distinct lineage most closely related to the family Eunicellidae, but different enough to merit a separate family.
What was said
Dr Odalisca Breedy of the Universidad de Costa Rica, lead author, said, “I saw the octocoral garden for the first time in 2019 and I was impressed by its otherworldly appearance.” The quote is reported by ScienceDaily.
How it came about
The discovery builds on earlier deep‑sea surveys by the Schmidt Ocean Institute aboard the research vessels Falkor and Falkor II. The new family adds to the growing inventory of previously unknown deep‑sea organisms uncovered by modern submersible technology.
Key facts
- The coral was found at depths of 360‑529 m off Costa Rica's Pacific margin. (sciencedaily.com)
- It has been placed in a new genus, Laurinque, and a new family, Laurinqueidae. (sciencedaily.com)
- Phylogenomic analysis showed the species is most closely related to Eunicellidae but distinct enough for its own family. (sciencedaily.com)
- Specimens were collected using the ROV SuBastian during 2019 and 2023 expeditions. (sciencedaily.com)
- Dr Odalisca Breedy of Universidad de Costa Rica led the study. (sciencedaily.com)
Sources
- [1] sciencedaily.com — originally reported as “This “golden tree” coral was too strange for any known family”
