Scientists from a major American university have documented an extraordinary starfish that bears twenty limbs. This remarkable find appears to challenge typical expectations of echinoderm morphology and adds a striking example to a recent issue of Invertebrate Systematics, a respected science journal widely read by biologists and ocean researchers.
During multiple expeditions conducted off the Antarctic coast between 2008 and 2017, researchers encountered an elusive animal that initially drew attention due to its unusual form. Follow up dives and broader sampling aimed to reveal whether this creature was a one‑off anomaly or part of a broader, undiscovered fauna beneath the ice. Efforts extended beyond the initial discovery as teams sought additional specimens and related species to better understand the region’s biodiversity.
The animal, which resembles a starfish or a hedgehog in shape, has been assigned the designation Promachocrinus fragarius, commonly referred to as the Antarctic Strawberry Star. Its habitat ranges from shallow depths of around 20 meters to deep zones approaching two kilometers below the surface. Across collected specimens, researchers identified eight distinct species, four of which appeared to be unique to this explorative zone. Limb coloration varied considerably, displaying hues from pale white and lavender tones to rich purples and dark reds, underscoring a surprising degree of color diversity within this lineage.
Looking ahead, the research teams intend to resume investigations of the southern ocean floor with renewed vigor. The Antarctic depths hold the promise of new discoveries, as ongoing environmental extremes have historically limited human access. The combination of frigid temperatures, substantial pressure, and perpetual darkness has contributed to a vast, largely uncharted biological landscape beneath the ice, inviting further study and potential revelations about evolutionary pathways in extreme marine habitats.
These Antarctic explorations continue a broader scientific trend of uncovering deep-sea life that challenges conventional classification and expands understanding of how life adapts to the planet’s most demanding environments. The work adds to a growing body of evidence that the deep ocean hosts a wealth of undiscovered species, each offering clues about ancient marine ecosystems and the resilience of organisms in cold, high‑pressure settings.