A team from the Monterey Aquarium Research Institute confirmed a new species of snailfish in the deep waters of the eastern Pacific, off the coast of California. Named Careproctus colliculi , its English nickname, bumpy snailfish , refers to the bumpy texture of its skin that distinguishes it from its relatives.
The discovery, the result of a 2019 expedition and subsequently publicized by the scientific team, provides unprecedented insights into abyssal ecosystems , the most extensive and least sampled habitats on the planet. In an environment devoid of light, with constant cold and crushing pressures, this species joins the diverse Liparidae family tree, which comprises around 450 described species worldwide.
How the new species was identified
During a deep-sea expedition, researchers collected several specimens with unusual features that did not fit existing descriptions. The combination of microscopy, computed tomography, and DNA sequencing confirmed that these were previously unrecorded organisms.
The scientific name, Careproctus colliculi , reflects the bumpy skin surface that 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 it withstand pressure at depth.
Marine biologist Mackenzie Gerringer, along with specialists from several US universities, emphasizes that the identification was achieved thanks to an integrated approach using morphological and genetic evidence . This cross-referencing of data allowed them to clearly distinguish the characteristics of the bumpy snailfish from closely related species.
Traits and adaptations to the abyss
Like other lipariids, this species has a pharyngeal jaw (located at the back of the throat) that acts as a "grinder" after sucking in small prey. This tool, combined with its soft, malleable body , is functional in an environment where every bit of energy saved counts.
The study describes cellular and molecular adaptations 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 kept below 4 °C , these adaptations allow their physiology to continue functioning.
In the Liparidae family, a ventral suction disc is commonly found in shallower-water species, used to attach to rocks or even other animals. In the case of the bumpy snailfish, the authors note that it is still unclear whether it possesses this "suction cup ," a detail that needs to be confirmed with further observations.
Lipariids have colonized areas from polar regions to temperate latitudes, with some species reaching the hadal zone (beyond 6.000 meters). Although the bumpy snailfish has been documented in deep waters of the eastern Pacific, its true distribution remains undefined pending further records.
Biodiversity and coexistence in the abyss
In the sampling environment, the team documented another new species from the same group occupying a different niche, a clue to the adaptive diversification that occurs even at great depth. This overlap suggests that the boundaries between genera and species remain open to revision as more data are incorporated.
The authors point out that, despite their widespread global distribution, lipariids remain a taxonomic puzzle . Methodological advances—including tomography, genetics, and fine morphology—are helping to unravel evolutionary relationships that previously went unnoticed due to the limited available material.
Beyond its novelty, the bumpy snailfish serves as a reminder that the seabed, which encompasses a large part of the ocean floor, remains a territory of great scientific questions . For Europe and Spain, where oceanography maintains cutting-edge research lines, the experience and protocols of this study offer a useful framework for future campaigns in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
The appearance of this species, its rigorous diagnosis, and the doubts that still persist—from its distribution range to details of its functional anatomy—show how the combination of exploration, technology, and conservation becomes key to understanding and protecting the most remote habitats on the planet.
