Scientists have uncovered a remarkable variety of marine life hidden deep beneath the waters off Western Australia's Nyinggulu (Ningaloo) coast, including evidence of giant squid and several species that may be unknown to science.
The discovery comes from a Curtin University-led study that explored the Cape Range and Cloates submarine canyons, located about 1200 kilometers north of Perth. During the expedition, led by the Western Australian Museum aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel R/V Falkor, researchers collected more than 1,000 samples from depths reaching 4510 meters.
Instead of relying only on cameras or captured animals, the team used environmental DNA (eDNA), which consists of genetic traces naturally released by marine animals into seawater. By analyzing these tiny fragments of DNA, scientists were able to identify species living in the deep ocean without directly observing them.
Giant Squid and Rare Deep-Sea Species Detected
Among the most notable findings was evidence of the giant squid (Architeuthis dux), detected in six separate samples collected from both submarine canyons. Researchers also identified deep-diving whale species, including the Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) and Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris).
