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Ocean Census and Schmidt Ocean Institute fast-track South Atlantic species identification in Buenos Aires, as a viral deep-sea expedition leads to new species discoveries.
BUENOS AIRES (September, 2026) – An international Species Discovery Workshop, led by the Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census in partnership with the Schmidt Ocean Institute, has resulted in the identification of 57 new marine species and 5 genera, shedding new light on one of the most biologically dynamic regions in the South Atlantic Ocean.
The workshop brought together 20 taxonomists and early-career researchers from across Latin America and Europe to examine deep-sea biological samples, primarily from the Schmidt Ocean Institute Underwater Oasis of the Mar del Plata Canyon expedition in August 2025 onboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too), using the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SuBastian. Hosted at the Universidad Maimónides in Buenos Aires from 13–24 July 2026, the team utilised integrated taxonomy techniques to rapidly identify specimens, logging discoveries directly onto Ocean Census NOVA, the world’s first open-access data platform for newly discovered marine species.
Among the key findings was “Loki the Sea Cucumber” (Peniagone sp.), a striking deep-sea echinoderm named for its horned appendages, resembling the god of Norse legend. In total, the team identified 20 new species of copepods, 22 echinoderms (sea cucumbers and crinoids), 14 cnidarians (octocorals, sea pens, and stony corals), and 1 scaphopod mollusc, with 5 new scientific genera spanning corals, sea cucumbers, and crustaceans.
“International cooperation in taxonomy is critical, especially in groups with few active specialists. The species discovery workshop accelerated species identification, the recognition of species new to science, and increased capacity building for local early-career taxonomists working on deep-sea fauna.” Dr. Daniel Lauretta, Principal Investigator, CONICET, and the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales
“International cooperation in taxonomy is critical, especially in groups with few active specialists."
Location: Mar del Plata Submarine Canyon
Depth: 2577 metres
Taxonomist: Francisco Alonso Solís-Marín & Mariano Martinez
This holothurian (sea cucumber) was one of the standout new species identified during the workshop. Featuring remarkable in-situ images and video captured on the seafloor, “Loki” represents one of up to 10 new holothurian species uncovered during the workshop.
Location: Argentina Deep Basin / Mar del Plata Canyon
Of these tiny and vital crustaceans, taxonomists examined just 10% of the collected samples during the workshop. Yet, remarkably, every specimen examined was a species new to science, yielding 20 new species and 1 new genus.
Location: Mar del Plata Submarine Canyon
The workshop identified 14 new species of corals, including two potential new genera and a potential new family (awaiting genetic analysis). Highlights include the sea pen Pseudumbellula sp. and the vivid orange-red octocoral Orstomisis sp., providing crucial data on habitat-forming deep-sea ecosystems.
The workshop marks the one-year anniversary of the Schmidt Ocean Institute Underwater Oases of the Mar del Plata Canyon expedition (July–August 2025), led by Principal Investigator Dr. Daniel Lauretta aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too).
Explorations focused on the Brazil–Malvinas Confluence, where warm subtropical currents collide with cold, nutrient-rich sub-Antarctic waters to create an oceanographic crossroad of immense biological productivity. Operating in a submarine canyon nearly twice as deep as the Grand Canyon (exceeding 3,500 metres), the team used ROV SuBastian to broadcast live video feeds directly to the public.
Over 4 million viewers tuned in live to witness sprawling deep-sea coral reefs, fields of mushroom coral at 1,500 metres depth, including observing a bright orange seastar that captured global imagination for its resemblance to the cartoon character “Patrick Star”. Despite gaining global fame during and after the expedition, “Patrick Star” was not thought to be a new species, and was left undisturbed and unaware of its notoriety.
Discovering 57 new species and five new genera in just two weeks demonstrates the speed and power of collaborative taxonomy. The deep sea holds some of the least understood ecosystems on Earth. By bringing Latin America’s scientific expertise and international experts together with, as well as connecting them to the open-access Ocean Census NOVA platform, we are drastically accelerating our understanding of marine biodiversity
Beyond immediate species counts, the workshop represented a major investment in Argentine scientific capacity and regional biodiversity research. Physical specimens processed during the workshop, as well as historical samples from CONICET’s Talud Continental I–III expeditions, a series of deep-sea scientific expeditions conducted in 2012 and 2013 to explore the marine biodiversity off the coast of Buenos Aires Province, will be permanently housed in national institutional collections, including the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia” (MACN) in Buenos Aires.
The initiative provided hands-on training for Early Career Researchers and students, allowing knowledge exchange between local and international taxonomic experts.
“The Mar del Plata Canyon expedition captured the public’s imagination when we first live-streamed Argentina’s deep-sea, discovering potential new marine species,” said Dr. Jyotika Virmani, Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Executive Director. “These results show the power when world-class technology and expertise meets international scientific collaboration. By identifying new species, these scientists have advanced our understanding of South Atlantic marine life and, via Ocean Census, ensured that this data is accessible globally”.
The discovery journey in the South Atlantic is far from over. Building on this success, Principal Investigator Dr. Daniel Lauretta and team are planning a follow-up expedition with Schmidt Ocean Institute in February–March 2027 to a different submarine canyon with anticipated high endemism. New samples of marine invertebrates collected during the upcoming expedition will potentially yield more new species and genera, necessitating further collaborative species discovery efforts, such as the recent Species Discovery Workshop.
The Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census is the largest global initiative dedicated to accelerating the discovery of ocean life. Despite covering over 70% of our planet, the ocean remains one of Earth’s least explored ecosystems—with only around 240,000 marine species officially documented. Scientists estimate that millions more remain undiscovered.
Launched in April 2023 by The Nippon Foundation and Nekton, the Ocean Census is a bold global mission to close this knowledge gap. Through large-scale expeditions, cutting-edge technology, and a global network of partners, the programme is transforming our ability to discover and understand life in the ocean. All findings are made freely accessible via the Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform.
Ocean Census is endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade and supported by a global alliance spanning science, media, philanthropy, business, and civil society.
Schmidt Ocean Institute was established in 2009 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt to catalyse the discoveries needed to understand our ocean, sustain life, and ensure the health of our planet through the pursuit of impactful scientific research and intelligent observation, technological advancement, open sharing of information, and public engagement, all at the highest levels of international excellence.
The National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) is the primary agency promoting science and technology in Argentina. The Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia” (MACN) belongs to CONICET and is one of Argentina’s premier natural history institutions, housing critical biological collections.