An expedition from Mexico and the United States discovered six potentially unknown animal species and amazing hydrothermal vents.
The authors of the new work explored the coast of the Mexican state of Baja California in the Gulf of California and found there unknown species of arrow worms, crustaceans, molluscs and roundworms.
For the work, the researchers used the ROV SuBastian underwater robot, which took samples and took pictures. He captured hydrothermal mirror pools, calcite spiers and blue scaly worms.
The largest hydrothermal source was named Mayavi, the other is Melsuu. Such unusual names come from the Yuman indigenous languages of Baja California. Mayavi was named after the divine water serpent, it is mentioned in the creation myth of the people of Kumiai. The shape of the source reminded researchers of a dragon. Melsuu means “blue” in the Kiliva dialect, the name given to it because of the large number of iridescent blue worms that were found nearby.
The hydrothermal springs are located in the Pescadero Basin and are unique in their chemical composition, as they are the only ones emitting clear liquids. Usually a dark or smoky stream erupts from the ground. Scientists have collected the liquid to study its chemical composition.
Also during the expedition, the authors found six or more new species of animals, in particular, polychaetes, arrow worms, crustaceans, molluscs and round worms. They also drew attention to 10 known species that had not previously been found in the Pescadero Basin. They continue to be studied.
