Researchers on a 2025 Southern Ocean expedition discovered about 30 likely new species around the South Sandwich Islands, including a carnivorous “death ball” sponge. The multinational effort collected over 2,000 samples while surveying trenches, volcanic calderas and island seafloors. Notable finds include zombie worms that digest bone fat via symbiotic bacteria, armored iridescent scale worms, a new sea star and footage of a juvenile colossal squid. Many specimens are still being analysed as scientists continue to probe a deep ocean that remains largely unexplored.
Dozens of New Deep‑Sea Species Discovered Near the South Sandwich Islands — Carnivorous “Death Ball” Sponge Among Finds
Researchers on a 2025 Southern Ocean expedition discovered about 30 likely new species around the South Sandwich Islands, including a carnivorous “death ball” sponge. The multinational effort collected over 2,000 samples while surveying trenches, volcanic calderas and island seafloors. Notable finds include zombie worms that digest bone fat via symbiotic bacteria, armored iridescent scale worms, a new sea star and footage of a juvenile colossal squid. Many specimens are still being analysed as scientists continue to probe a deep ocean that remains largely unexplored.
02:03 AM, 11/17/2025Science
Expedition uncovers ~30 previously unknown species on the deep seafloor
A carnivorous “death ball” sponge ambushing prey in the perpetual darkness of the seafloor might sound like science fiction, but that was one of the striking discoveries from a 2025 Southern Ocean expedition. The mission documented roughly 30 potentially new species, expanding our knowledge of life and ecosystems far beneath the waves.
Who led the work
The campaign was a multinational effort led by The Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census, the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the Southern Ocean Species Discovery Workshop and Chile’s Universidad de Magallanes. Teams focused on waters around the South Sandwich Islands, a remote region at the boundary of the Southern Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Argentina.
What they explored and collected
Researchers surveyed the South Sandwich Trench, investigated underwater volcanic calderas and mapped the seafloor around Montagu and Saunders Islands. Using advanced deep‑sea technology, the teams collected more than 2,000 physical samples; cataloguing and taxonomic analysis are ongoing.
Notable discoveries
Highlights from the haul include:
- “Death ball” sponge: A carnivorous sponge covered in tiny hooked structures that trap prey, a feeding strategy unusual among sponges.
- Zombie worms: Mouthless worms that rely on symbiotic bacteria to digest bone lipids from large carcasses.
- Armored iridescent scale worms and a new species of sea star.
- Previously unknown isopods, amphipods, gastropods, volcano‑associated bivalves and a newly identified genus of sea pen.
- Juvenile colossal squid footage: The team recorded young colossal squid on camera; adults of this species can reach roughly 45 ft (about 14 m) and weigh over 1,000 lb (about 450 kg).
Why it matters
More than 99% of the deep sea remains unexplored, so expeditions like this are crucial for revealing biodiversity, ecological interactions and species that thrive without sunlight. Each specimen will undergo further study and formal taxonomic description, which may yield new insights into evolution, deep‑sea ecology and potential conservation priorities.
Next steps: Scientists will continue genetic sequencing, morphological analyses and peer‑reviewed descriptions to confirm and name the new species discovered during the voyage.