Posted on 05/28/2026 7:29:11 PM PDT by Red Badger
In A Nutshell
A single octopus collected nearly a mile deep near the Galápagos Islands has been identified as a new species, Microeledone galapagensis, overturning a recent definition that placed its entire family exclusively in the cold Southern Ocean.
Small enough to fit in the palm of a hand and vivid blue on top with a deep purple-to-maroon underside, the animal displays an unusual reversed color pattern that extends inside its body, a feature researchers think may help hide the glow of bioluminescent prey.
Because the DNA samples were lost and no second specimen has been collected, the entire species description rests on a single female with no male for comparison and no genetic data.
Scientists revised the formal definition of the octopus family based on this one animal, and say the deep tropical Pacific likely holds many more undiscovered species.
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A single small octopus, pulled from nearly a mile below the ocean surface near the Galápagos Islands, is pushing scientists to reconsider what they thought they knew about an entire group of deep-sea creatures. Scientists had recently described the family as large-bodied animals confined to the cold, deep Southern Ocean, though a blue, grape-sized animal collected almost directly on the equator didn’t fit that picture at all.
Now officially named Microeledone galapagensis in the journal Zootaxa, the specimen was collected in 2015 near Darwin Island, the northernmost island in the Galápagos archipelago. Small, squat, and short-armed, with smooth blue skin on top and a deep maroon-to-purple underside, it displays what researchers describe as strong reverse countershading: vivid blue above, dark below. That unusual color pattern turned out to be one of the least surprising things about it.
Screen grab of the octopus from the ROV footage. (Credit: Courtesy of the Charles Darwin Foundation)
(Excerpt) Read more at studyfinds.com ...
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I went to college to be a Marine Biologist.
Wound up being a Marine!
Damn recruiter lied to me!.................
I’ve always heard that Blue Octopi are highly toxic to humans. So, obviously, the Diver must have been wearing gloves.
....pulled from nearly a mile below the ocean surface....
Not too many divers down there............
I snorkeled in the Galapagos 60 years ago. Didn’t get that deep so I missed the little blue guy.
Did they release it or they will use it to hammer humans for it’s extinction?
Released it then lost the DNA samples...........
D’oh! Somebody just lost their next promotion.
Some Lab Assistant is probably the only one who got yelled at and fired.
No wonder it's blue, it's on the seabed, holding its breath...
Cool colors. I thought some octopi can shift body colors.
Most can change colors, based on their mood or short term goals. Camoflage, hunting or aggression when courting and mating.
Looks like it may have an oversized brain.
What are they hiding?
Hella cute little bugger!
Blue octopus…so boring.
Let’s think of it as a previously unknown spawn of Cthulhu. Much more fun and interesting.
Maybe this one just lost her boyfriend....................
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