Duobrachium sparksae was clearly different from other comb jellies (ctenophores). Via a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
It was a beautiful and unique organism,” says oceanographer Mike Ford.
“It moved like a hot air balloon attached to the seafloor on two lines, maintaining a specific altitude above the seafloor. Whether it’s attached to the seabed, we’re not sure. We did not observe direct attachment during the dive, but it seems like the organism touches the seafloor.” …
It’s in these very deep parts of the ocean where ctenophores are found, but the extreme depth of their natural habitat means we don’t encounter these mysterious animals – let alone new species – very often.
Peter Dockrill, “Scientists Confirm Entirely New Species of Gelatinous Blob From The Deep, Dark Sea” at ScienceAlert
Paper. (open access)
Remote vehicles and autonomous vehicles may have a huge role to play in exploring the vast proportion of the ocean that is currently largely unknown. We will probably see stranger stuff yet.