06/03/2026
A deep-sea expedition near the Galápagos Islands has identified a new species of octopus, *Microeledone galapagensis*, found at a depth of approximately 5,800 feet. This miniature cephalopod, which is about the size of a golf ball, remained undiscovered until it was captured by a remotely operated underwater vehicle during a seafloor exploration.
Because deep-sea specimens are difficult to obtain, researchers at Chicago's Field Museum utilized micro-CT scanning to study the creature without the need for dissection. This advanced imaging allowed scientists to generate detailed 3D models of the octopus's nervous system and internal organs, which confirmed that it represents an entirely new species.
The discovery of *Microeledone galapagensis* serves as evidence of how much of the deep ocean remains unexplored. Even within a historically well-studied ecosystem like the Galápagos, this find demonstrates that the deep sea still holds significant marine life waiting to be revealed.