Biologists from the University of California have discovered a starfish with 20 limbs that resembles an alien creature. The results of the study, magazine Invertebrate Systematics.
An unknown animal was discovered during one of the expeditions that took place off the coast of Antarctica from 2008 to 2017. Later, researchers tried to find other animals – promachocrinus (Antarctic furry animals).
The creature looks like a starfish or hedgehog and was named Promachcrinus fragarius, meaning “Antarctic Strawberry Star.” The animals live at a depth of 20 meters to 2 kilometers below the water surface. A total of eight species were found, four of which were unique. The color of the limbs of the starfish can vary from white and purple to dark red.
In the future, the authors will continue to explore the Antarctic depths in search of new underwater animal species. According to scientists, many unknown species can live there – previously, humanity hardly explored the depths of the Antarctic Ocean due to extreme conditions, low temperatures, high pressure and darkness.
Formerly at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean to create previously unknown ecosystem.