Scientists discover millions of glowing golden eggs in the deep sea- Read the story behind this mystery
In a surprising discovery deep in the ocean, scientists have found millions of glowing golden eggs laid by a deep-sea species near an underwater volcano off Canada's Pacific coast.
The volcano was once believed to be inactive and too cold to support life, but this finding has brought new attention to the area.
Led by marine biologist Cherisse Du Preez from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the team made the discovery during their first human-operated dives, as reported by Live Science. Additional footage and the first-ever video of a female skate laying eggs were captured in 2023, adding a new layer of insight that has since captivated the scientific community.
A hidden nursery in a cold, remote environment
The golden egg cases, believed to belong to the Pacific white skate (Bathyraja spinosissima) – a deep-water species related to sharks and rays – were discovered clustered near hydrothermal vents on the seafloor. These vents release geothermal heat, creating a surprisingly favorable environment in an otherwise freezing part of the deep ocean.
Heat from the Earth fuels deep-sea life
Image credits: Canva
The deep sea is typically cold and dark, but in this case, the volcanic heat seems to be helping the skates incubate their eggs.
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As per Earth(dot)com, skates lay egg cases– often called 'mermaid's purses' – that usually take years to develop.
'The deep sea is cold, and that heat helps,' Du Preez explained. 'To grow big, strong animals, some warmth helps.'
A decade-long incubation
One of the most fascinating parts of the Pacific white skate's life cycle is its extraordinarily long incubation period. As per USA Today, scientists estimate that these eggs can take anywhere from four to ten years to hatch, making it one of the longest-known developmental periods in the animal kingdom.
As per Earth(dot)com report, the warmth from the volcanic vents likely speeds up this slow process by providing critical energy for embryo development.
First-ever footage of egg-laying in this environment
In a milestone moment for deep-sea research, researchers captured the first-ever video footage of a Pacific white skate laying eggs at this location, as reported by Live Science.
Describing the scene, Du Preez said the site looked 'almost like a coral garden and a safe nursery for juveniles,' highlighting how rare and delicate such ecosystems are, as quoted by GreaterGood.
What comes next
Image credits: X/@WelcomeFuture_0
Although the initial discovery was made in 2019, renewed attention following the 2023 video footage has reignited scientific interest. As per Greek Reporter, a detailed scientific report from the Canadian government is expected soon, which will further explore how deep-sea species like the Pacific white skate survive in extreme conditions– and how much more there is to uncover in Earth's vast underwater landscapes.
Note: Images have been generated from Canva AI for purely representative purposes
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