Scientist: Possible new octopus species found near Hawaii
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First posted: Saturday, March 05, 2016 01:55 AM EST | Updated: Saturday, March 05, 2016 01:57 AM EST
HONOLULU -- Scientists say they have discovered what might be a new species of octopus while searching the Pacific Ocean floor near the Hawaiian Islands.
Michael Vecchione of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says in a statement that on Feb. 27 a team found a small light-colored octopus at a depth of about 2.5 miles in the ocean near Necker Island. Vecchione says the octopus did not have fins and all of its suckers were in one row on each arm.
He says the octopus "did not seem very muscular" and was light colored.
He adds that "this resulted in a ghostlike appearance, leading to a comment on social media that it should be called Casper, like the friendly cartoon ghost. It is almost certainly an undescribed species ...:"
Vecchionne says the octopus was discovered during a search of the ocean floor by NOAA's Okeanos Explorer.
This image provided by courtesy of NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Hohonu Moana 2016, shows a possible new species of octopus. Scientists say they have discovered what might be a new species of octopus while searching the Pacific Ocean floor near the Hawaiian Islands. Michael Vecchione of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says in a statement Friday, March 4, 2016, that on Feb. 27 a team found a small light-colored octopus at a depth of about 2.5 miles in the ocean near Necker Island. (NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Hohonu Moana 2016 via AP)
Scientist: Possible new octopus species found near Hawaii | World | News | Toron
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First posted: Saturday, March 05, 2016 01:55 AM EST | Updated: Saturday, March 05, 2016 01:57 AM EST
HONOLULU -- Scientists say they have discovered what might be a new species of octopus while searching the Pacific Ocean floor near the Hawaiian Islands.
Michael Vecchione of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says in a statement that on Feb. 27 a team found a small light-colored octopus at a depth of about 2.5 miles in the ocean near Necker Island. Vecchione says the octopus did not have fins and all of its suckers were in one row on each arm.
He says the octopus "did not seem very muscular" and was light colored.
He adds that "this resulted in a ghostlike appearance, leading to a comment on social media that it should be called Casper, like the friendly cartoon ghost. It is almost certainly an undescribed species ...:"
Vecchionne says the octopus was discovered during a search of the ocean floor by NOAA's Okeanos Explorer.
This image provided by courtesy of NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Hohonu Moana 2016, shows a possible new species of octopus. Scientists say they have discovered what might be a new species of octopus while searching the Pacific Ocean floor near the Hawaiian Islands. Michael Vecchione of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says in a statement Friday, March 4, 2016, that on Feb. 27 a team found a small light-colored octopus at a depth of about 2.5 miles in the ocean near Necker Island. (NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Hohonu Moana 2016 via AP)
Scientist: Possible new octopus species found near Hawaii | World | News | Toron