A team from the Monterey Aquarium Research Institute confirmed a new species of snailfish in deep waters of the eastern Pacific, off the coast of California. Named Careproctus colliculi, his nickname in English, bumpy snailfish, refers to the lumpy texture of the skin that distinguishes it from its relatives.
The discovery, the result of a 2019 expedition and subsequently disseminated by the scientific team, provides Unprecedented clues about deep-sea ecosystems, the largest and least sampled habitats on the planet. In an environment without light, constant cold and crushing pressures, this species joins the diverse tree of the Liparidae family, which brings together around 450 described species worldwide.
How the new species was identified
During a deep-sea campaign, researchers collected several specimens with unusual features that did not fit existing descriptions. A combination of microscopy, CT scanning, and DNA sequencing confirmed that these were previously unrecorded organisms.
The scientific name, Careproctus colliculi, reflects that skin surface with small bumps which gives it its common nickname. In addition to the granular skin, the team described a gelatinous, scaleless body, a hallmark of the group that helps withstand pressure in depth.
Marine biologist Mackenzie Gerringer, along with specialists from several American universities, emphasizes that the identification was achieved thanks to a integrative approach to morphological and genetic testingThis cross-referencing of data made it possible to clearly separate the traits of the bumpy snailfish from those of related species.
Traits and adaptations to the abyss
Like other liparids, the species has a pharyngeal jaw (at the back of the throat) that acts as a “crusher” after sucking in small prey. This tool, together with its soft and malleable body, is functional in an environment where every energy saved counts.
The work describes cellular and molecular adjustments that favor life under high pressure: stabilized membranes to prevent structural collapse and proteins that are especially robust against deformation. In deep waters, where the temperature is usually maintained below 4°C, these adaptations allow their physiology to continue functioning.
In the family Liparidae it is common to find a ventral suction disc In shallower water species, it is used to attach itself to rocks or even other animals. In the case of the bumpy snailfish, the authors note that It is not yet clear whether it has this “suction cup”, a detail pending confirmation with further observations.
Liparids have colonized from polar regions to temperate latitudes, with representatives also reaching the hadal zone (beyond 6.000 meters). Although the bumpy snailfish was documented in deep waters of the eastern Pacific, its actual distribution remains undefined awaiting new registrations.
Biodiversity and coexistence in the abyss
In the sampling environment, the team documented another new species of the same group occupying a different niche, a clue to the adaptive diversification which occurs even at great depths. This overlap suggests that the boundaries between genera and species remain open to revision as more data become available.
The authors point out that, despite their widespread global presence, liparides remain a taxonomic puzzleMethodological advances—with tomography, genetics, and fine-grained morphology—are helping to unravel evolutionary relationships that previously went unnoticed due to the limited material available.
Beyond the novelty, the bumpy snailfish acts as a reminder that the seafloor, which encompasses much of the ocean floor, remains a territory of great scientific questionsFor Europe and Spain, where oceanography maintains cutting-edge lines of research, the experience and protocols of this study offer a useful script for future campaigns in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
The appearance of this species, its rigorous diagnosis and the doubts that still persist - from its range of distribution to details of its functional anatomy - show how the combination of exploration, technology and conservation becomes key to understanding and protecting the planet's most remote habitats.
