Giant sea stars and bacteria that can grow to several centimetres long are among more than 5,600 marine species that scientists have discovered during work on the first comprehensive global marine-life census. The census, which began in 2000 and should be completed by 2010, has also provided evidence that many of the world's deep-sea octopuses evolved from a common ancestor, of which a close relative, Megaleledone setebos (pictured), still lives in the Southern Ocean.
The most recent findings from the 2,000-strong international team of marine scientists behind the effort were presented at the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity in Valencia, Spain, which began on 11 November.
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Marine census nets wealth of unknown ocean life. Nature 456, 153 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/456153a
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/456153a
