Clarion-Clipperton Zone Reveals Stunning New Amphipod Diversity
Researchers have discovered 24 new species of deep-sea amphipods, including an entirely new superfamily, in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) located in the central Pacific Ocean.
Their findings, which were published on March 24 in a special open-access issue of ZooKeys, mark a significant advancement in our understanding of life in the CCZ. This extensive area spans six million square kilometres between Hawaii and Mexico and is one of the most poorly understood ecosystems on our planet.
The research was spearheaded by Dr. Anna Jażdżewska from the University of Lodz (UL) and Tammy Horton from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC). A group of 16 experts and early-career scientists convened for a week-long taxonomy workshop in 2024 at UL’s Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, where they concentrated on identifying and detailing amphipod species from this region.
This research supports the International Seabed Authority’s Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative (SSKI) and its ‘One Thousand Reasons’ project, which aims to officially describe 1,000 new species by the decade’s end.
The study revealed several major scientific milestones. In total, the team described 24 new species across 10 amphipod families, including both predators and scavengers.
Among the most significant findings were:
A newly identified family (Mirabestiidae) and superfamily (Mirabestioidea), representing entirely new branches on the evolutionary tree.
Two new genera (Mirabestia and Pseudolepechinella).
The deepest recorded occurrences for several known genera.
The first molecular barcodes for a number of rare species.
Dr. Tammy Horton said: “To find a new superfamily is incredibly exciting, and very rarely happens so this is a discovery we will all remember.
“With more than 90% of species in the CCZ still unnamed, each species described is a vital step towards improving our understanding of this fascinating ecosystem.
“Describing the species encountered during these studies is a critical step in documenting the rich biodiversity of the CCZ, enabling us to communicate effectively about the fauna.”
Careful classification, referred to as taxonomy, is crucial for comprehending the animals inhabiting the CCZ. It delivers vital insights regarding species identity, their distribution, and their ecological functions within this fragile ecosystem.
Researchers from the National Oceanography Centre identified eight of the newly discovered species, collaborating with partners from various institutions globally. These included the University of Lodz, the Natural History Museum in London, the Canadian Museum of Nature, Earth Sciences New Zealand (NIWA), the University of Hamburg, Senckenberg — Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research (SGN), and the University Museum of Bergen.
The initiative also showcased the effectiveness of coordinated taxonomy workshops, providing a quicker and more collaborative method for discovering new species.
Anna Jażdżewska from the University of Lodz remarked: “This was a genuinely collaborative effort that enabled us to meet the ambitious target of describing over 20 species new to science within a year — a feat that would have been unachievable had we all worked separately.
“The team’s findings provide information that is crucial for future conservation and policy decisions, and it highlights how important it is for this work to continue.”
At the current pace of roughly 25 new species described each year, scientists estimate that amphipods in the eastern CCZ could be nearly fully cataloged within the next decade.
How New Deep-Sea Species Get Their Names
Each newly discovered species must be given a scientific name, and researchers often draw inspiration from people, experiences, or even popular culture.
Many of the 24 species received names that reflect personal connections. Co-leads Dr. Tammy Horton and Anna Jażdżewska were both honored with species named after them: Byblis hortonae, Thrombasia ania, and Byblisoides jazdzewskae (respectively).
Dr. Horton also named a species in the new superfamily (Mirabestia maisie) after her daughter, who had long waited to join her siblings in receiving that distinction.
The team also recognized the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) by naming Eperopeus vermiculatus in its honor, calling WoRMS a ‘wonderful resource for all marine taxonomists’.
Early-career scientists (including students) contributed to the naming process as well, often honoring family members or drawing creative connections between deep-sea life and digital worlds. One species, Lepidepecreum myla, was named for a video game character, with the author noting that both ‘are just little arthropods trying to survive in total darkness.’
Language also played a role in naming. The species Pseudolepechinella apricity reflects a sense of warmth and friendship that developed during the workshop.
Dr. Horton revealed: “Apricity means the feeling of the warmth of the winter sun, and it is one of my favorite words. It was very apt to use during the workshop as we discussed our findings in the warmth of the February sun amid the snow of the Polish winter in Lodz. It was certainly fitting to also use it for one of our amphipod discoveries.
“We came together as research colleagues, but the spirit of collaboration and shared experience shone through, so it was important to recognize that in our work.”
[image: Collage of the 24 new Amphipod species identified in Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Credit: National Oceanography Centre, Southampton]
