Scientists discover over 1,100 new marine species in landmark Ocean CensusWorld’s largest mission to accelerate species discovery reveals extraordinary new life forms from some of Earth’s most extreme and unexplored environments
Carnivorous “Death-Ball” Sponge Among 30 New Deep-Sea Species from the Southern OceanOXFORD, United Kingdom, Oct. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thirty previously unknown deep-sea species, including a carnivorous “death-ball” sponge, have been confirmed from one of the most remote parts of the planet by The Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census and collaborators. The discoveries follow two 2025 research cruises with Schmidt Ocean Institute and were verified at the Southern Ocean Species Discovery Workshop hosted by Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile (August 2025).
