New sea creatures discovered in Costa Rica 'amaze' scientists

New sea creatures discovered in Costa Rica 'amaze' scientists
Published 46 mins ago
By Jennifer Earl | Fox News


A new species of Xenoturbella was discovered in Costa Rica during a recent expedition. (Schmidt Ocean Institute/ROV SuBastian)

Scientists on a mission to explore Costa Rican waters made incredible scientific discoveries along the way: identifying four new species of deep-sea corals and at least five other sea creatures.

A group of scientists, including Pennsylvania's Temple University biology professor Dr. Erik Cordes who led the trip, surveyed seamounts — underwater mountains — near Isla del Coco while aboard the research vessel Falkor. The focus of the 3-week expedition was to examine the "important corridor" the seamounts provide, the Schmidt Ocean Institute explained in a recent news release.

"Investigating these systems on all biological size scales, the team focused on relationships between species, from microbes to fauna such as fish and coral," the non-profit marine research foundation said, adding that it was the first time seven seamounts around that location have been surveyed.

Full story and more pics at https://www.foxnews.com/science/new-sea-creatures-in-costa-rica-amaze-scientists