Latest news with #DavidJara
Express Tribune
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Rare black seadevil sighting near surface sparks wholesome social media buzz
Listen to article A team of researchers in the Canary Islands has captured rare footage of a black seadevil anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsonii) swimming near the ocean's surface, a sighting that has only been recorded once before. The footage, filmed by wildlife photographer David Jara aboard the research vessel Glaucus, has stunned marine biologists—and sent social media into a frenzy. As the deep-sea predator, typically found at depths of 200 to 2,000 meters, swam unexpectedly close to the surface, the internet exploded with reactions ranging from pure fascination to playful curiosity, social media reactions were surprisingly wholesome. Instead of fear, many users expressed wonder and admiration, creating wholsome comics and sharing it online Some users even took a creative spin on the sighting, reimagining the anglerfish as a Disney character, complete with adorable animations and whimsical backstories. Edits of the deep-sea creature with big expressive eyes and a glowing "magic wand" lure quickly went viral, with fans joking that it deserved its own animated movie. Some users found themselves unexpectedly emotional over the sighting, expressing deep empathy for the anglerfish. Many saw it as a lonely explorer from the deep. Photo: @kristilynn11 on X Photo: @LorcansShirt on X Some users even defended the anglerfish, playfully insisting that it was "just a girl" trying to navigate an unfamiliar environment. Photo: @Maddie_Jones515 on X Users were also surprised to learn that the anglerfish was much smaller than they had imagined, with many expecting it to be a massive deep-sea predator rather than just 15 centimeters long. Photo: @ramymoreau on X while some did not Photo: @PallaviGunalan on X In the end, what started as a rare scientific discovery turned into an unexpectedly wholesome internet moment. Whether they were awed, emotional, or playfully defending the anglerfish, social media users found a way to turn this deep-sea encounter into something charming and relatable. Photo: @CassandraRules on X From calling it 'just a girl' to imagining it as a Disney character, the black seadevil went from a mysterious deep-sea predator to an unlikely internet sweetheart—a reminder that even the most unusual creatures can find a place in people's hearts.
Express Tribune
16-02-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
WATCH: Rare black seadevil fish appears on ocean surface
A team of researchers in the Canary Islands has captured rare footage of a black seadevil anglerfish, a deep-sea species, swimming near the ocean's surface—a sight that has been recorded only once before. The black seadevil (Melanocetus johnsonii), known for its bioluminescent lure and fearsome appearance, typically inhabits the ocean's depths, between 650 and 6,500 feet. The fish was filmed by wildlife photographer David Jara aboard the vessel Glaucus, during a rare encounter that lasted for about an hour. 'It was like a dream come true,' said Jara, a marine wildlife photographer with the NGO Condrik Tenerife. 'I had seen these creatures in books as a child, and I never thought I would actually capture one on film.' The anglerfish, which is about six inches long, was filmed swimming actively, despite being a species typically adapted to extreme pressures and known for being ambush predators that remain relatively stationary in deep water. This unexpected behaviour astonished experts, who were excited by the rarity of the sighting. 'When I first saw the video, I honestly didn't believe what I was seeing,' said Kory Evans, a fish biologist at Rice University. 'I thought it was A.I.' Bruce Robison, a senior scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, added that such sightings are extremely rare. He was the one who captured the only previous footage of a living black seadevil in Monterey Bay in 2014, at a depth of 1,900 feet. The exact reason why the black seadevil ventured to the surface remains unclear, but scientists believe it may have been due to changes in water temperature, pressure, or a prey-driven movement. Despite their intimidating looks, Evans notes that black seadevils are 'mostly soft and squishy,' highlighting their surprising contrast to their fearsome image. This sighting is a significant moment for marine biology, providing further insight into one of the ocean's most mysterious creatures.
