A groundbreaking study published today in Science Advances reveals a new era in ocean exploration, as researchers deploy innovative technologies to film, capture, and extract DNA from previously unstudied soft-bodied marine creatures. This pioneering effort, conducted on a 30-day cruise sponsored by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, provides crucial insights into the mysterious world of jellyfish, tunicates, worms, and other delicate organisms residing in the ocean depths.
Described as an "exciting new way to sample the ocean" by Adam Greer, a biological oceanographer at the University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, the study combines state-of-the-art technologies on a remote underwater vehicle (ROV). Led by bioengineer Kakani Katija from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, the team utilized advanced camera systems for 3D visualization and movement detection, along with a more sensitive version of robotic arms inspired by those used in the oil and gas industry.
The robotic arms, equipped with fingers, hands, and wrists for a gentler touch, proved instrumental in capturing free-floating marine life. Following filming, a unique container with origami-like folding unfolded within one of the robotic arms, gently enveloping the organism. A rotating blade then cut the specimen into pieces, which were preserved along with their DNA for comprehensive genetic analysis.
The study marks a significant leap forward in ocean exploration, as the team successfully filmed 61 animals and captured 32 using the advanced ROV technologies. Four individuals were chosen for in-depth study, providing a diverse test of the technology and enabling 3D reconstructions of their internal and external features.
Among the discoveries was the identification of a siphonophore species, Marrus claudanielis, with a genome size of 27 million bases—ten times larger than the human genome. The researchers also cataloged the appearance and genetics of a barrel-shaped floating tunicate, a second siphonophore, and a swimming worm known as Tomopteris polychaete.
Study co-leader David Gruber, a marine biologist at the City University of New York, emphasizes the project's potential to extract valuable information from unknown marine creatures in minutes. Looking ahead, the researchers aim to refine the robotic arm's design to allow for non-lethal data gathering, paving the way for "giving [the organisms] a doctor’s checkup" while preserving their lives.
The impact of these technologies extends beyond scientific discovery, offering conservationists and ocean resource managers a powerful tool for species identification and understanding the intricate interactions within our oceans. Thomas Pape, an entomologist at the University of Copenhagen, foresees this new technology significantly boosting species discovery and shedding light on the countless interactions occurring in the depths of our oceans.
