Author: Mike Vardaro

Deep-Sea Octopus

Deep-Sea Octopus (Muusoctopus sp.) Muusoctopus is a genus of octopus found worldwide in deep, cold waters. They are generally small to medium-sized,

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Zoroaster Sea Stars

Zoroaster Sea Stars (Zoroaster sp.) We have encountered several species of Zoroaster sea stars, a widespread genus of mostly deep-water echinoderms, at

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Pedicellasterid Sea Stars

Pedicellasterid Sea Stars (unidentified species) Several species of pedicellasterid sea stars have been seen at Southern Hydrate Ridge. These carnivorous, five-armed sea

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Hippasteria Sea Star

Hippasteria Sea Star (likely Hippasteria californica) Hippasteria is a genus of sea star in the family Goniasteridae (which is very diverse), mainly

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Brisingid Sea Stars

Brisingid Sea Stars The Brisingidae are a family of deep-sea sea stars, named after Brísingamen, a necklace belonging to Freya from Norse

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Sea Pens

Sea Pens (unknown species) Sea pens (order Pennatulacea) are colonial marine cnidarians that are widely distributed in tropical and temperate waters worldwide,

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Branching Bryozoans

Branching Bryozoans (likely Bugula sp.) Bryozoans (also known as “moss animals”) are a phylum of simple, aquatic invertebrates, nearly all living in

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Bubblegum coral

Bubblegum coral (Paragorgia arborea) These soft corals in the family Paragorgiidae are commonly known as “bubblegum coral” because of the shape of

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