‘Long'-armed deep-sea creature with dozens of suckers discovered as new species

Miami Herald

06-05-2025

World 'Long'-armed deep-sea creature with dozens of suckers discovered as new species
A submersible in the Pacific Ocean found a deep-sea creature with 'long,' sucker-covered arms and discovered a new species, a study said.
Screenshot from video shared via Tang, Zheng and Zhang (2025)
From a research vessel in the Pacific Ocean, scientists watched the camera feed of a remotely operated submersible thousands of feet below them. As the submersible moved through the chilly water, a 'semi-gelatinous' sea creature with 'long,' sucker-covered arms came into view.
Researchers didn't know it at the time, but they were looking at a new species.
A team of scientists visited the Caroline Seamount in 2017 to survey deep-sea marine life using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), according to a study published April 21 in the peer-reviewed journal Organisms Diversity and Evolution.
During one of the dives at a depth of about 4,070 feet, the ROV encountered an octopus 'lying on the seafloor, with its arms naturally bent over the surface of the seamount,' the study said. As the ROV got closer, the octopus pushed off the rocks and swam a short distance away.
The new species of Dumbo octopus seen in its natural habitat.
Photo from Tang, Zheng and Zhang (2025), shared by Yan Tang
Scientists moved the ROV closer to the 'large'-eyed octopus and caught it with a suction tool. They carefully brought the animal to the surface, took a closer look at it and eventually tested its DNA.
Researchers soon realized they'd discovered a new species: Grimpoteuthis feitiana, or Feitian's Dumbo octopus.
Feitian's Dumbo octopus is considered 'small-sized,' measuring about 16 inches long in its natural habitat but shrinking after being brought to the surface, the study said. Its body is 'bell-shaped' and 'semi-gelatinous,' 'giving it a soft and flexible texture.'
The Grimpoteuthis feitiana, or Feitian's Dumbo octopus, seen in its natural habitat.
Photo from Tang, Zheng and Zhang (2025), shared by Yan Tang
Like other octopuses, the new species has eight 'long' arms of slightly varying lengths covered in dozens of suckers, researchers said. These 'moderate'-sized suckers run 'from the mouth opening to the arm tips.'
Photos show what Feitian's Dumbo octopus looks like in its natural habitat. Its coloring looks pinkish orange up close but, from afar, almost seems to blend in with the surrounding rocks.
Like other Dumbo octopuses, the new species has a pair of 'moderately long' fins on its mantle, or main body, giving it a 'resemblance to the fictional character Dumbo from Disney cartoons,' the study said.
The Grimpoteuthis feitiana, or Feitian's Dumbo octopus, seen in its natural habitat.
Photo from Tang, Zheng and Zhang (2025), shared by Yan Tang
Feitian's Dumbo octopus swims by flapping its fins and contracting then extending its arms, researchers said and a video from the ROV shows. It does 'not move quickly.'
Like other deep-sea animals, the new species must 'survive in extreme environmental conditions' with no light, minimal oxygen, low temperatures, high water pressure and general food scarcity, the study said. As a result, it likely moves 'at a slower pace,' has a 'lower metabolic rate' and requires less oxygen than shallow-water octopuses.
Researchers said they named the new species after Feitian, 'a goddess known in Chinese Mogao Cave Culture for her graceful dancing in the air,' because of the way the new species moves, which looks like 'flying underwater.'
So far, only one specimen of the new species has been found at the Caroline Seamount midway between Guam and Palau in the Western Pacific Ocean, the study said.
The new species was identified by its DNA, body shape, size, internal anatomy, arms and other subtle physical features, the study said.
The research team included Yan Tang, Xiaodong Zheng and Junlong Zhang.
Aspen Pflughoeft
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Aspen Pflughoeft covers real-time news for McClatchy. She is a graduate of Minerva University where she studied communications, history, and international politics. Previously, she reported for Deseret News.