Dulcibella

Dulcibella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Clade: Pancrustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Amphipoda
Family: Eusiridae
Genus: Dulcibella
Weston & González, 2024
Species:
D. camanchaca
Binomial name
Dulcibella camanchaca
Weston & González, 2024

Dulcibella camanchaca is a species of amphipod in the monotypic genus Dulcibella. The species inhabits the Atacama Trench, and is found at depths of nearly 8,000 m (26,000 ft) in the South Pacific Ocean near Chile; this makes it one of the deepest-living predators identified to date, being well adapted to the extreme conditions of the hadal zone.

The genus name Dulcibella derives from Dulcinea of Don Quixote, consistent with two morphologically similar amphipod genera named after characters from Don Quixote: Cleonardo Stebbing 1888 and Dorotea Corbari, Frutos & Sorbe 2019. The name Dulcinea was already a genus of Coleoptera. Dulcibella appears in medieval English literature. The specific epithet camanchaca originates from the Aymara word kamanchaka "darkness", referencing its deep-sea habitat.

Discovery

The species was first observed during a 2023 oceanographic expedition, in the process of installing the Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System (IDOOS), a network of sensors designed to aid scientific research within the Atacama Trench. The research team used benthic landers to collect specimens from depths nearing 8,000 meters (26,000 ft); for comparison, the altitude of Mount Everest is just over 8,800 meters (28,900 ft). Four specimens were used to describe the species.

In 2024, Dulcibella camanchaca was formally described by marine biologists Johanna Weston and Carolina González. The identification of D. camanchaca as a new species was confirmed through DNA analysis and detailed morphological examination. This discovery has contributed to the growing recognition of the Atacama Trench as a region of high biodiversity and endemism.

Continued exploration of these regions is expected to yield further insights into the adaptations and biodiversity of organisms living in extreme conditions.

Description

Dulcibella camanchaca is larger than most other amphipods found at similar depths, measuring approximately 4 cm (1.6 in) in length. It exhibits predatory behavior, using specialized appendages to capture and consume smaller crustaceans, which suggest an ecological role as an active predator in the hadal zone.

Notes

  1. ↑ Stebbing writes 'The generic name is taken from a personal name in Don Quixote.' Cleonardo, a character in an imitation of Don Quixote, corresponds to Clenardo, in the original Don Quixote, part 1, chapter 29.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Weston, Johanna N. J.; González, Carolina E.; Escribano, Rubén; Uloa, Osvaldo (27 November 2024). "A new large predator (Amphipoda, Eusiridae) hidden at hadal depths of the Atacama Trench". Systematics and Biodiversity. 22 (1) 2416430. Bibcode:2024SyBio..2216430W. doi:10.1080/14772000.2024.2416430. hdl:1912/72862.
  2. ↑ Sammi Caramela (18 December 2024). "Deep-Sea Predator Built for Killing Discovered 8,000 Meters Underwater". VICE News.
  3. ↑ "Researchers discover new ocean predator in the Atacama Trench". MSN.
  4. ↑ Alex Mitchell (17 December 2024). "Deep-sea predator discovered with a body made for 'capturing, killing and feasting', scientists say". New York Post.
  5. ↑ "Mysterious 'Alien-Like' Creature Discovered By Scientists In Deep Ocean, Revealing Unexplored Marine World". Jagran English.
  6. ↑ Stebbing, Thomas R.R. (1888). Report on the Amphipoda collected by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873-1876. London: H.M. Stationery Office. p. 959. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  7. ↑ Whitchurch, James Wadham (1774). "Don Quixote, A Comedy" (unpublished manuscript). Harvard University: Houghton Library. MS Eng 1367.
  8. ↑ Corbari, Laure; Frutos, Inmaculada; Sorbe, Jean-Claude (2019). "Dorotea gen. nov., a new bathyal genus (Amphipoda, Eusiridae) from the Solomon Sea (Papua New Guinea)" (PDF). Zootaxa. 24568 (1): 69–80. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4568.1.4. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  9. ↑ "Darkness unveiled: Fierce alien-like predator emerges from Earth's deepest depths". Times of India.
  10. ↑ Jess Thomson (10 December 2024). "Eerie 'Darkness' Predator Discovered in Deep Ocean". Newsweek.
  11. ↑ Mark Kaufman (17 December 2024). "26,000 feet undersea, scientists find a ghostly predator". Mashable.
  12. ↑ Dixit, Mrigakshi (2024-12-11). "Atacama Trench's terrifying new resident survives at extreme 25,900 feet". Interesting Engineering.
  13. ↑ Ulloa, Osvaldo; Moreno, Marcos; Pizarro, Oscar (2023-11-15). "Chile completes the installation of its first Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System". Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
  14. ↑ Dhingra, Divya (2024-12-17). "Scientists Discover Alien-Like Predator in the Ocean's Depths, Call It 'Darkness'". The Tech Outlook.
  15. ↑ "Alien-like' predator found by scientists in ocean depths, named 'darkness' | The amphipod was found in the Atacama Trench". Inshorts.
  16. ↑ Grzimel, Amanda. "Deep-sea discovery: New predator species found in Atacama trench". MSN.[dead link]
  17. ↑ "Scientists discover new 'miniature' predator on seabed". MSN. 2024-12-22.
  18. ↑ "Scientists caught unknown marine predator". RBC Ukraine. 2024-12-13.
  19. ↑ Tommy (2024-12-10). "Newly Discovered Predator Thrives in the World's Most Unforgiving Ocean Depths". Optic Flux.
  20. ↑ McLendon, Russell (2024-12-12). "Scientists Discover New Deep-Sea Predator, Name It 'Darkness'". ScienceAlert.
  21. ↑ Maya Edwards (15 December 2024). "Unbelievable Deep-Sea Discovery! Meet the Alien-Like Predator that Defies Expectations!". www.scimag.news.
  22. ↑ Dr. Emma Lee (12 December 2024). "Unveiling Darkness: Alien Predator Found in Ocean Depths Shocks Scientists Worldwide!". Faharas Net.
  23. ↑ "Creepy crustacean: Meet the deep sea predator named 'darkness'". Oceanographic Magazine. 12 December 2024.
  24. ↑ "Chile's Deep-Sea Discovery: A Predator in the Abyss". Latin American Post. 17 December 2024.