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MBARI

@mbarinews.bsky.social

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An oceanographic research institute focused on advancing marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · Nov 12

MBARI researchers have discovered a remarkable new species of sea slug in the deep sea. Nicknamed the "mystery mollusc," the nudibranch Bathydevius caudactylus swims through the midnight zone and lights up with brilliant bioluminescence.

Learn more: www.mbari.org/news/mbari-r...

MBARI researchers discover remarkable new species of swimming sea slug • MBARI

A new nudibranch species is the first known to inhabit the ocean’s midnight zone and has unique adaptations for life in this environment.

www.mbari.org

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · 2d

Historically, these delicate gelatinous animals have been challenging to study. MBARI and our collaborators are using deep-diving robots to reveal the dazzling diversity of delicate drifters that lie beneath the surface.⁠ Dive in and learn more about this species: mapress.com/zt/article/v...

Re-evaluation of characters in Apolemiidae (Siphonophora), with description of two new species from Monterey Bay, California | Zootaxa

mapress.com

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · 2d

In our newest edition of deep-sea animals that can dance better than you, we present the siphonophore samba by Apolemia rubriversa.💃⁠
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Siphonophores (pronounced “sigh-fawn-oh-fours”) are colonial creatures made up of specialized segments that work together as one.

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Reposted by MBARI

Global Ocean Biogeochemistry Array @globaloceanbgc.bsky.social · 5d

Revealing the ocean’s hidden chemistry 🌊

A new statistical approach developed by researchers @mbarinews.bsky.social & @miamirosenstiel.bsky.social enables detection of nitrite and thiosulfate in oxygen-deficient zones.

Read more: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/... @agu.org

BGC‐Argo Floats Reveal Nitrite and Thiosulfate Dynamics in the Oceans With High Spatiotemporal Resolution

UV-spectrophotometers can detect nitrite and thiosulfate concentrations BGC-Argo floats provide high spatiotemporal resolution of nitrite and thiosulfate of oxygen-deficient zones BGC-Argo float...

agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · 5d

This whiptail gulper eel (Saccopharynx lavenbergi) was spotted 880 meters deep in Monterey Canyon back in 1993—one of only 18 sightings in nearly 40 years! 📹️😍 With its massive mouth and glowing tail, this deep-sea icon even inspired MBARI’s logo. Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nwD...

Throwback to one of our earliest encounters with a deep-sea gulper eel

YouTube video by MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute)

www.youtube.com

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · 6d

A new study led by @globaloceanbgc.bsky.social researchers at MBARI has found that marine heatwaves can reshape ocean food webs, slowing the transport of carbon to the deep sea and hampering the ocean’s ability to buffer against climate change.

Learn more: www.mbari.org/news/marine-...

Marine heatwaves have hidden impacts on ocean food webs and carbon cycling • MBARI

New study analyzing data from robotic floats and plankton records reveals how marine heatwaves reshape ocean food webs and slow transport of carbon to the deep sea.

www.mbari.org

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · 10d

The rattail glide 💥
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Rattails, or macrourids, are common throughout the world’s ocean. Big blue eyes give the rattail an edge at finding food in deep, dark waters. Their keen eyesight reveals prey, like fishes and squid, darting just above the seafloor.

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · 11d

@tosoceanography.bsky.social 🤖🌊

MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · 11d

At the 26th annual Roger Revelle Commemorative Lecture, MBARI’s Chris Scholin explored how robotics and AI are revolutionizing marine science and emphasized why developing technology and maintaining a persistent presence are critical to understanding our changing ocean: bit.ly/oceanography...

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · 15d

This week, MBARI President and CEO Antje Boetius joined #ClimateWeekNYC to share how international scientific collaborations can help guide policy to address climate change, especially in polar environments. She attended meetings around future ocean missions that will help achieve the #BBNJ goals.

Photo courtesy of Ian Hardy/FPA2. Ten people in professional attire sit around a round table discussing climate science and policy. In the background is a television monitor and a white wall.

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · 17d

Dancing with the worms—a compilation of our favorite Alciopid worm dance moves. ⁠🕺🏽⁠
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Alciopid polychaetes have large, complex eyes with corneas, irises, lenses, and other structures that give them excellent vision. 👀

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Reposted by MBARI

UN Environment Programme @unep.org · 22d

History made for the ocean: #BBNJ Agreement enters into force, protecting high seas & deep seabed, safeguarding life under water.

“Our ocean is the foundation of our very existence. Today we took an important step forward to save our ocean, & to save our future” - ED @ingerandersen.bsky.social

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Reposted by MBARI

Will Oestreich @will-oestreich.bsky.social · 23d

"Oceanography in the age of intelligent robots and a changing climate" tos.org/oceanography...

@mbarinews.bsky.social

tos.org

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · 22d

Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do, both across disciplines and with partners worldwide. 🤝🌎

This week, a team from @ifremer.bsky.social visited MBARI to discuss how our organizations can help each other develop technology to study the ocean and make our work more widely accessible.

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · 24d

MBARI’s Video Lab has developed the first benchmark dataset for multi-object tracking in deep-sea video. 🤖🌊DeepSeaMOT tests machine learning models in real ocean environments. This publicly available tool will help advance AI for ocean exploration. Learn more: arxiv.org/pdf/2509.03499

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · 24d

Can you identify this animal? 🔍️👀

Did you get a kick out of shouting “acorn worm” at your phone? If so, you might enjoy playing @fathomverse.bsky.social. This month, you can find acorn worms by playing FathomVerse and earn a special badge!

Learn more about acorn worms: www.mbari.org/animal/acorn...

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · 25d

Microbes are getting a voice in global conservation. 🌍🦠 The new IUCN Microbial Conservation Specialist Group will develop tools to protect threatened microbial communities—bringing in diverse perspectives to shape a more inclusive biodiversity future. Read more: scripps.ucsd.edu/news/new-spe...

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Reposted by MBARI

FathomVerse @fathomverse.bsky.social · Sep 11

Have you heard of worm-like animals that create spirals on the seafloor, are more related to humans than actual worms, and produce super cute larvae? We’re obsessed with #AcornWorms!

Play #FathomVerse to find acorn worms and earn a special badge!

#AnimalsOfTheDeep @mbarinews.bsky.social

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · Sep 11

MBARI’s Arctic Expedition continues with cutting-edge technology and research amidst the wonders of the polar environment. From mapping the seafloor to deploying the MiniROV with SLAM navigation, we're unlocking the secrets of Earth’s least-explored frontiers. Dive in: www.mbari.org/expedition/a...

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · Sep 8

MBARI’s technology is helping researchers document deep-sea biodiversity, and our collaborations with expert taxonomists around the world are helping to advance the discovery of life in the largest living space on Earth.

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · Sep 8

Snailfishes live in a variety of ocean habitats—from shallow tide pools to deep-sea trenches. The newly described bumpy snailfish (Careproctus colliculi), observed in the depths of Monterey Canyon nearly 3,300 meters (10,800 feet) underwater, has a distinctive pink color and a bumpy texture.

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · Sep 8

Meet the newest (and cutest) addition to the snailfish family 🐟

MBARI collaborators @sunygeneseo.bsky.social have described three new deep-sea snailfishes, including one first discovered using MBARI’s remotely operated vehicle Doc Ricketts.

Learn more: www.mbari.org/news/mbaris-...

MBARI's advanced underwater technology reveals a new species of deep-sea snailfish • MBARI

The bumpy snailfish is one of three new species of deep-sea snailfish described by MBARI collaborators at SUNY Geneseo.

www.mbari.org

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · Sep 4

That moment when you spot a deep-sea cutie 😍

Deep-sea hatchetfishes cleverly camouflage themselves in the dark depths of the ocean with light-producing organs along their bellies. This allows them to match the daylight filtering from surface waters above and hide from predators lurking below.

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Reposted by MBARI

Ocean Discovery League @oceandiscleague.bsky.social · Aug 22

We are thrilled to share that National Geographic Magazine’s September issue features @katycroffbell.bsky.social and the development of DORIS, a low-cost deep-sea imaging system created with @bluerobotics.bsky.social.
Read the full article: www.nationalgeographic.com/science/arti...

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · Sep 3

A neighbourly sort of coral 🪸💕

A resident of rocky environments, the mushroom soft coral (Heteropolypus ritteri) offers a haven for small animals seeking protection. A snailfish may hide near the umbrellas of stinging tentacles, or a shrimp might hang on to weather the storm of strong currents.

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MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · Sep 2

Read more about their journey on the Arctic Expedition Log: www.mbari.org/news/life-at...

Life at sea • MBARI

Life at sea Expedition log by MBARI Senior Scientist Aaron Micallef The first full days at sea have been a mix of preparation, discovery, and settling into the rhythm of life aboard the IBRV Araon. Wi...