Scientists exploring Japan’s deep ocean have discovered 38 new species and mysterious worms living inside a glass sponge, revealing how little of the deep sea has been explored.
Nature and Wildlife

Dive into unexplored waters unearths dozens of deep-sea creatures

Charlie Watton
Charlie Watton
4 Min Read
Divers jump back into the water after connecting JAMSTEC's manned submersible, Shinkai 6500 to the crane to be lifted back onto RV Yokosuka after a dive. (jam Press/The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census/JAMSTEC)

Dozens of deep-sea creatures have been discovered after an expedition to unexplored waters.

A whopping 38 new species have been found lurking in the depths of the ocean following a deep dive.

The expedition also shed light on two new worm species never before documented by humans.

READ MORE: Rare baby okapi born at British zoo hailed as major boost for endangered species

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They were found living inside a glass sponge on the ocean floor – which may also be a new discovery.

The expedition took place in two of Japan’s deepest and unexplored sea regions – the Nankai Trough and the Shichiyo Seamount Chain.

The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census expedition was completed in partnership with the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology.

Scientists aboard the JAMSTEC research vessel Yokosuka used the Shinkai 6500 submarine to reach the depths, as reported by What’s The Jam.

Scientists exploring Japan’s deep ocean have discovered 38 new species and mysterious worms living inside a glass sponge, revealing how little of the deep sea has been explored.
JAMSTEC’s manned submersible, the Shinkai 6500, returns from a dive and is lifted onto RV Yokosuka. (jam Press/The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census/JAMSTEC)

The expedition returned to the surface with 528 specimens to study, leading to two major published studies.

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Mitsuyuki Unno, executive director of The Nippon Foundation, said: “The discoveries made in the Nankai Trough and the Shichiyo Seamount Chain remind us how little of our ocean has truly been explored.

“Each new species discovery is a step toward understanding, valuing, and ultimately safeguarding our shared ocean.”

Scientists exploring Japan’s deep ocean have discovered 38 new species and mysterious worms living inside a glass sponge, revealing how little of the deep sea has been explored.
New glass sponge species, found with multiple species of polychaete worms living within. Photographed on the slopes of a sea mount at a depth of 791m by the Shinkai 6500 submersible. (jam Press/The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census/JAMSTEC)

The discovery of a “glass castle” – more commonly known as a glass sponge – has fascinated boffins.

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The organisms build intricate skeletons out of silica, which is the same material used to make glass.

The new worm species, Dalhousiella yabukii and Leocratides watanabeae, were found living inside the sponge.

The findings, led by Dr Naoto Jimi, were published on 9 Mar.

The second published study sheds light on the most detailed biological survey of the Nankai Trough ever undertaken.

Before the expedition, in June last year, there were 14 known animal species living down there – now there are at least 80.

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Scientists exploring Japan’s deep ocean have discovered 38 new species and mysterious worms living inside a glass sponge, revealing how little of the deep sea has been explored.
JAMSTEC’s Shinkai 6500 manned submersible, photographed on the seafloor in the Nankai Trough. Reaching depths of over 4500m, the trench is home to a diverse and complex ecosystem. (jam Press/The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census/JAMSTEC)
Scientists exploring Japan’s deep ocean have discovered 38 new species and mysterious worms living inside a glass sponge, revealing how little of the deep sea has been explored.
Ventral view of a squat lobster specimen, during the October species discovery workshop at JAMSTEC HQ. (jam Press/The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census/JAMSTEC)
Scientists exploring Japan’s deep ocean have discovered 38 new species and mysterious worms living inside a glass sponge, revealing how little of the deep sea has been explored.
This squat lobster in the family Eumunididae (awaiting species identification) was photographed living within a deep sea coral, and were sampled together at a depth of 853m at the Getsuyo Seamount. (jam Press/The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census/JAMSTEC)
Scientists exploring Japan’s deep ocean have discovered 38 new species and mysterious worms living inside a glass sponge, revealing how little of the deep sea has been explored.
Dalhousiella yabukii, found living symbiotically within a potential new species of glass sponge. (jam Press/The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census/JAMSTEC)
Scientists exploring Japan’s deep ocean have discovered 38 new species and mysterious worms living inside a glass sponge, revealing how little of the deep sea has been explored.
Dalhousiella yabukii, found living symbiotically within a potential new species of glass sponge. (jam Press/The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census/JAMSTEC)
Scientists exploring Japan’s deep ocean have discovered 38 new species and mysterious worms living inside a glass sponge, revealing how little of the deep sea has been explored.
Collage of species images from Dr. Chong Chen’s Ecosphere Paper on species diversity in the Nankai Trough. (jam Press/The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census/JAMSTEC)
Scientists exploring Japan’s deep ocean have discovered 38 new species and mysterious worms living inside a glass sponge, revealing how little of the deep sea has been explored.
JAMSTEC’s Shinkai 6500 manned submersible, approaching the summit of one of the Shichiyo Seamounts, reaching from the seafloor to 1000m below the surface, these undersea mountains force nutrients upwards and provide habitat to many species. (jam Press/The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census/JAMSTEC)

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