Researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) found a rare bigfin squid (Magnapinna) at more than 3,400 meters depth during an expedition off the coast of California, United States. The sighting occurred while scientists were analyzing the abyssal seafloor near Davidson Seamount, an extinct underwater volcano located within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The team was using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to conduct the observations.
The researchers were impressed by the sighting of the "elusive" specimen. Brazilian Olívia Soares Pereira, a postdoctoral researcher at MBARI, said she was in the control room when she noticed what appeared to be tentacles appearing in the video. Initially, she thought it might be a jellyfish, but upon identifying the small, characteristic "elbows" of the species, she immediately recognized the animal and shouted "Magnapinna!" MBARI is a nonprofit oceanographic research center that conducts regular expeditions to the deep ocean.
