This newfound species was unveiled by researchers delving into the depths of the ocean near Antarctica.
Imagine hearing “Antarctic strawberry feather star” and picturing something cute. But in reality, it’s a sea creature with 20 ‘arms’, and that’s what scientists call it. Researchers found this creature in the ocean near Antarctica. It looks like a jellyfish, but it’s mostly tentacles – some feathery, some bumpy. It has small claws on its base to hold onto the seabed.
It can be up to eight inches long and uses its long ‘arms’ to move in the ocean. Marine biology professor Greg Rouse, with researchers Emily McLaughlin and Nerid Wilson, studied it and shared their findings.
Naming Process
The name comes from the creature’s smaller tentacles that look like a strawberry when separated. The simple name is ‘Antarctic strawberry feather star’, but its real name is Promachocrinus fragarius.
A Successful Expedition
Researchers used nets to find more of these creatures in the Southern Ocean. Before, there was only one type, called Promachocrinus kerguelensis.