A remarkable discovery has been made off the coast of Costa Rica—a new species of octopus. This groundbreaking find occurred in a rare brooding site, marking only the third known octopus nursery in the world.
In 2013, researchers first found the octopus nursery near Puntarenas, Costa Rica. At that time, approximately 100 female octopuses were found brooding at a cold hydrothermal vent. However, no developing embryos were observed, leading researchers to believe that the conditions were not suitable for the birth of baby octopuses.
However, earlier this year, during a return expedition, the researchers witnessed the hatch of the octopuses, signaling the birth of baby octopuses. This discovery now classifies the area as the world’s third-known octopus nursery and the first known nursery for a species of deep-sea octopus called the Dorado Outcrop.
In a press release, the Schmidt Ocean Institute stated that these mollusks may belong to a new species of octopus within the Muusocotpus genus, which consists of small- to medium-sized octopuses without an ink sac.
“The discovery of a new active octopus nursery over 2,800 meters beneath the sea surface in Costa Rican waters proves there is still so much to learn about our ocean,” said Jyotika Virmani, the executive director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute. “The deep-sea off Costa Rica rides the edge of human imagination, with spectacular footage collected by ROV SuBastian of tripod fish, octopus hatchlings, and coral gardens.”
According to the institute, the Dorado Outcrop is considered “small” at the size of a soccer field, and is home to an estimated 100 female octopuses brooding their eggs. The nursery has been of great interest to scientists due to its unique characteristics.
“The behavior shocked cephalopod experts because octopuses were considered solitary creatures at the time. In the past, octopuses were observed fighting over territory or mating toward the end of their life,” the Institute explains on its website. “Female octopuses are known to brood their eggs alone in rocky crevices, passing away after their eggs hatch.”
Normally, octopuses are observed brooding in warm waters, as it accelerates the hatching process for their eggs.
In 2018, researchers discovered over 1,000 members of a different octopus species nesting in a warm geothermal spring nearly 2 miles underwater off the coast of California. This previous octopus nursery was located at a slightly shallower depth, approximately 1 3/4 miles beneath the ocean surface.
During the 19-day expedition in Costa Rica, researchers also came across five previously unknown seamounts, according to the Schmidt Ocean Institute. These areas, including the site of the octopus nursery, are currently unprotected but boast thriving biodiversity. This has prompted the researchers to investigate the possibility of designating them as marine protected areas, which would ensure their preservation and protection by local organizations and the government.
“This expedition to the Pacific deep waters of Costa Rica has provided us with a wonderful opportunity to explore our own country,” said Dr. Jorge Cortes from the University of Costa Rica. “With a significant number of local scientists and students onboard, our capacity to study deep regions will be accelerated. The information, samples, and images obtained are important for the scientific study and outreach efforts to raise awareness about our valuable resources and the need to protect them.”
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