Australian researchers spotted the sea cucumber three kilometres below the surface off east Antarctica.
This is the first time the species – aka Enypniastes eximia – has been seen in the area, with previous sightings only recorded in the Gulf of Mexico.
While most sea cucumbers are unable to swim, the Headless Chicken Monster moves through the ocean depths and lowers itself to the sea floor to feed.
Remarkable footage shows the purple creature extending tentacle-like feet on the sea bed and gliding through the water.
Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) program leader Dr Dirk Welsford said: “Some of the footage we are getting back from the cameras is breathtaking, including species we have never seen in this part of the world.
"At the time, none of us actually knew what it was, so we did what a lot of scientists do and googled it.
"It's one of the most spectacular specimens I've ever seen.
"It's quite charismatic the way it flies past the camera … and quite unusual that it can swim."
The new underwater cameras used to film it in the depths were developed by the AAD.
The cameras themselves are of a similar quality to smartphone cameras, but they are housed in secure casing to withstand the high water pressure and sub-zero temperatures.
Dr Welsford added: “The housing that protects the camera and electronics is designed to attach to toothfish longlines in the Southern Ocean, so it needs to be extremely durable.
“We needed something that could be thrown from the side of a boat and would continue operating reliably under extreme pressure in the pitch black for long periods of time.”
The data collected from the cameras are being presented at the annual Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources meeting starting in Hobart on Monday.
Source: Read Full Article