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Our oceans, and the deep ocean in particular, are largely unexplored. To date, 33,000 marine species have been recorded in Australia’s oceans PDF (28.7MB). A further 17,000 have been collected but not yet described.

Incredibly, it's estimated that 91 per cent of Australia’s marine species remain undescribed. However, research conducted by research vessel (RV) Investigator is helping change that!

A long, slender see-through eel on a black background.

Uncovering life in our oceans

Since the vessel arrived in 2014, collaborative teams of scientists have been taking to the high seas and using the unique capabilities of RV Investigator to survey, collect and describe life in our oceans. Illustrating just how much life is still to be discovered, across three voyages on RV Investigator in 2015, 2017 and 2018, it was estimated that over 1000 new marine species were collected and are now awaiting description.

Meet some of the new species that have been described from voyages on RV Investigator.

Current count: 153 new species described

New species list

DATE (PUBLISHED) VOYAGE SPECIES COUNT SPECIES NAME COMMON NAME PUBLICATION DOI
27/11/24 IN2017_V03 3 Boudemos paulinae
Pleijelius keni
Microphthalmus hvalr
Annelid worms https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.76.2024.1905
10/09/24 IN2022_V08
IN2021_V04
1 Deima oloughlini Sea cucumber https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.2024.83.03
29/08/24 IN2022_V08
IN2021_V04
IN2017_V03
1 Pontiothauma transregna Deep-sea gastropod https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2024.2383786
28/08/24 IN2022_V08
IN2021_V04
9 Apomatus nishii
Bathyvermilia rolandobastidai
Bathyvermiloides juliebrockae
Protis melmackenzieae
Protis perneti

Hyalopomatus nogueirai

Hyalopomatus rossanae
Hyalopomatus suelindsayae

Placostegus leslieharrisae
Annelid worms https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.76.2024.1901
28/08/24 IN2022_V09
IN2022_V08
IN2021_V04
IN2017_V03
IN2017_C01
IN2015_C01
IN2015_C02
4 Laetmonice hutchingsae
Laetmonice murrayae
Laetmonice mensahaedorum

Laetmonice paxtonae
Polychaete worms  https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.76.2024.1900
19/06/24 IN2015_C02 9 Clathrina williamsi
Leucascus boomerang
Ascoleucetta gabensis
Ascoleucetta globularis
Ascoleucetta parallela
Ascoleucetta plana
Leucetta conspicua
Robspongia vociva
Rappya australiensis
Calcareous sponges https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae041
14/06/24 IN2022_V09 1 Neomerinthe parallelaspina Parallel-spine Scorpionfish https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-024-00975-z
1/03/24 IN2022_V09
IN2022_V08
IN2018_V06
IN2017_V03
5 Atheraster phaeos
Atheraster umbo
Circeaster dux

Evoplosoma mystrion

Evoplosoma pharos
Sea stars https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.2024.83.01
8/11/23 IN2017_V03 5 Radiella nidula
Radiella pumix
Spinularia flagellata
Tentorium labium
Ridleia echidna
Deep-water sponges https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5369.1.3
22/09/23 IN2017_V03 1 Poraniomorpha tartarus Deep-water sea star https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.2023.82.06
20/07/23 IN2019_V04 1 Hamacantha (Vomerula) levii Carnivorous sponge https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5318.3.4
12/07/23 IN2022_V08 1 Heterodontus marshallae Hornshark https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070849
17/05/23 IN2017_V03 1 Melinna hamulus Grapple worm https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1803
17/05/23 IN2017_V03 7 Aphelochaeta jubata
Aphelochaeta readi
Chaetocirratulus bathyalis
Chaetocirratulus glebalis
Chaetozone abyssalis
Chaetozone adusta
Kirkegaardia glabra
Polychaete worms https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1799
17/05/23 IN2017_V03 9 Ophryotrocha dahlgreni
Ophryotrocha hanneloreae
Ophryotrocha ravarae
Vrijenhoekia timoharai
Neanthes adriangloveri
Neanthes visicete
Orbiniella jamesi
Osedax waadjum
Osedax byronbayensis
Polychaete worms incl zombie worms https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1800
17/05/23 IN2017_V03 7 Asclerocheilus abyssalis
Axiokebuita australis
Oligobregma aristata
Oligobregma bathyala
Oligobregma profunda
Oligobregma renuncula
Pseudoscalibregma glandipodium
Polychaete worms https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1827
17/05/23 IN2017_V03 1 Spirodiscus ottofinamusi Tusk worm https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1801
17/05/23 IN2015_C01
IN2015_C02
IN2017_C01
IN2017_V03
8 Nothria delta
Nothria digitata
Nothria josae
Nothria simplex
Nothria minima
Nothria deltasigma
Nothria lizae
Nothria orensanzi
Polychaete worms https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1802
26/04/23 IN2017_V03
IN2018_V06
2 Boreomysis inopinata
Boreomysis urospina
Mysid crustaceans https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1845
3/04/23 IN2017_V03 1 Heterospio bidentata Polychaete worm https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5260.1.1
6/01/23 IN2017_V05 1 Coradion calendula Orange-tailed Coralfish
2/09/22 IN2015_C01
IN2015_C02
IN2017_C01
IN2017_V03
IN2018_V06
3 Comispira candida
Leucosyrinx jeedara
Leucosyrinx truwalamuka
Deep-water snail https://doi.org/10.1080/13235818.2022.2102887
8/04/22 IN2021_V03 1 Opechonoides opisthoporus Trematode (parasite) https://doi.org/10.1007/s11230-022-10034-8
16/03/22 IN2017_V03 1 Agathotanais oharai Shrimp-like crustacean https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.741536
31/10/21 IN2017_V05 1 Chromis sahulensis Damselfish https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5601971
14/08/21 IN2018_V06
IN2017_V03
IN2015_C02
IN2015_C01
11 Austrobela levis
Austrobela sagitta

Austrobela obliquicostata
Austrobela regia

Spergo parvidentata

Spergo tenuiconcha

Spergo castellum
Spergo annulata
Theta polita

Theta microcostellata

Austrotheta wanbiri
Deep-sea snails https://doi.org/10.1111/jzs.12512
10/08/21 IN2017_V05 1 Scorpaena sororreginae Western Queen Scorpionfish https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-021-00827-0
2/07/21 IN2017_V05 1 Tosana dampieriensis Reef fish https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4996.1.2
24/03/21 IN2018_V06 1 Aurogorgia tasmaniensis Octocoral https://doi.org/10.1071/IS20066
24/02/21 IN2017_V03 55 Estimated number of new polychaete worms to be described from voyage Polychaete worms https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1020.57921
21/02/21 IN2017_V03 1 Porcupinella tasmanica Octocoral https://doi.org/10.3897%2Fzookeys.1019.61789
8/02/21 IN2017_V03
IN2015_C02
IN2015_C01
6 Gladiobela abyssicola
Gladiobela acris

Gladiobela sinuosa

Gladiobela stupa

Gladiobela vitrea

Pagodibela meridionalis
Deep-sea snails https://doi.org/10.1071/IS20017
11/01/21 IN2017_V03 1 Abditoconus investigatoris Wood-boring bivalve https://doi.org/10.1080/13235818.2020.1861681
4/01/21 IN2019_V04 1 Lycopodina coralseaensis Carnivorous sponge https://doi.org/10.17082/j.2204-1478.62.2021.2020-06
13/11/20 IN2017_C01 1 Guitarra davidconryi Carnivorous sponge https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4878.2.2
12/08/20 IN2017_V03 2 Melinnopsis gardelli
Melinnopsis chadwicki
Polychaete worms https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.72.2020.1763
3/08/20 IN2017_V03 2 Gesaia csiro
Phalacrostemma timoharai
Polychaete worms https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4821.3.4
8/07/20 IN2018_V06
IN2017_V03
IN2017_C01
IN2015_C02
IN2015_C01
12 Aplotoma brevitentaculata
Austrobela rufa
Austrotheta crassidentata
Biconitoma cretosa
Fusobela parvioculata
Glaciotomella investigator
Gladiobela angulata
Globodaphne pomum
Nodothauma magnifica
Pagodibela maia
Pueridaphne cirrisulcata
Trochodaphne cuprosa
Deep-sea snails https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa088
12/05/20 IN2017_V03 17 Abyssocladia escheri
Abyssocladia annae
Abyssocladia gliscofila
Asbestopluma maxisigma
Cladorhiza australis
Cladorhiza poritea
Cladorhiza investigator
Cladorhiza moniqueae
Cladorhiza pentaeiros
Chondrocladia freycinetensis
Chondrocladia callistemonex
Chondrocladia zygainadentonis
Lycopodina nikitawimandi
Lycopodina helios
Lycopodina cassida
Lycopodina brochidodroma
Euchelipluma claudochela
Carnivorous sponges https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4774.1.1
20/12/19 IN2017_V03 3 Amphisbetia ramifera
Hebella macroplana
Lytocarpia parvispiralis
Hydroids https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.2019.78.04
13/12/19 IN2017_V03 2 Epizoanthus australis
Epizoanthus gorgonus
Cnidarians https://doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2019.1693439
30/10/19 IN2017_V03 1 Bouchetispira ponderi Deep-sea gastropod https://doi.org/10.1080/13235818.2019.1681626
1/07/19 IN2015_C01
IN2015_C02
IN2017_C01
IN2017_V03
37 Estimated number of new deep-sea crustaceans to be described from voyages Deep-sea crustaceans https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mvsr.2019.21
10/06/19 IN2017_V03 2 Petta investigatoris
Petta williamsonae
Polychaete worms https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4614.2.3
4/06/19 IN2015_C01
IN2015_C02
1 Tethya irisae Deep-sea stalked sponge https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2019.529
15/05/19 IN2015_C02 1 Cymonomus triplex Deep-sea crab https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.71.2019.1682
15/05/19 IN2017_V05 1 Gymnapogon velum Cardinalfish https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2854383
12/04/18 IN2016_V04 1 Pseudo-nitzschia hallegraeffii Diatom https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195622

Add your name to the list

Have you named a new species that we've missed? Please let us know so we can add you to the list. Researchers can submit a publication online via the MNF Reporting portal maintained by the NCMI Information and Data Centre.

Our oceans, and the deep ocean in particular, are largely unexplored. To date, 33,000 marine species have been recorded in Australia’s oceans PDF (28.7MB). A further 17,000 have been collected but not yet described.

Incredibly, it's estimated that 91 per cent of Australia’s marine species remain undescribed. However, research conducted by research vessel (RV) Investigator is helping change that!

We’re recruiting. A potentially new species of blind cusk eel collected from the deep ocean around the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 2022. Image: Museums Victoria-Ben Healley.

Uncovering life in our oceans

Since the vessel arrived in 2014, collaborative teams of scientists have been taking to the high seas and using the unique capabilities of RV Investigator to survey, collect and describe life in our oceans. Illustrating just how much life is still to be discovered, across three voyages on RV Investigator in 2015, 2017 and 2018, it was estimated that over 1000 new marine species were collected and are now awaiting description.

Meet some of the new species that have been described from voyages on RV Investigator.

Current count: 153 new species described

New species list

DATE (PUBLISHED) VOYAGE SPECIES COUNT SPECIES NAME COMMON NAME PUBLICATION DOI
27/11/24 IN2017_V03 3 Boudemos paulinae
Pleijelius keni
Microphthalmus hvalr
Annelid worms https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.76.2024.1905
10/09/24 IN2022_V08
IN2021_V04
1 Deima oloughlini Sea cucumber https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.2024.83.03
29/08/24 IN2022_V08
IN2021_V04
IN2017_V03
1 Pontiothauma transregna Deep-sea gastropod https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2024.2383786
28/08/24 IN2022_V08
IN2021_V04
9 Apomatus nishii
Bathyvermilia rolandobastidai
Bathyvermiloides juliebrockae
Protis melmackenzieae
Protis perneti

Hyalopomatus nogueirai

Hyalopomatus rossanae
Hyalopomatus suelindsayae

Placostegus leslieharrisae
Annelid worms https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.76.2024.1901
28/08/24 IN2022_V09
IN2022_V08
IN2021_V04
IN2017_V03
IN2017_C01
IN2015_C01
IN2015_C02
4 Laetmonice hutchingsae
Laetmonice murrayae
Laetmonice mensahaedorum

Laetmonice paxtonae
Polychaete worms  https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.76.2024.1900
19/06/24 IN2015_C02 9 Clathrina williamsi
Leucascus boomerang
Ascoleucetta gabensis
Ascoleucetta globularis
Ascoleucetta parallela
Ascoleucetta plana
Leucetta conspicua
Robspongia vociva
Rappya australiensis
Calcareous sponges https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae041
14/06/24 IN2022_V09 1 Neomerinthe parallelaspina Parallel-spine Scorpionfish https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-024-00975-z
1/03/24 IN2022_V09
IN2022_V08
IN2018_V06
IN2017_V03
5 Atheraster phaeos
Atheraster umbo
Circeaster dux

Evoplosoma mystrion

Evoplosoma pharos
Sea stars https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.2024.83.01
8/11/23 IN2017_V03 5 Radiella nidula
Radiella pumix
Spinularia flagellata
Tentorium labium
Ridleia echidna
Deep-water sponges https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5369.1.3
22/09/23 IN2017_V03 1 Poraniomorpha tartarus Deep-water sea star https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.2023.82.06
20/07/23 IN2019_V04 1 Hamacantha (Vomerula) levii Carnivorous sponge https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5318.3.4
12/07/23 IN2022_V08 1 Heterodontus marshallae Hornshark https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070849
17/05/23 IN2017_V03 1 Melinna hamulus Grapple worm https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1803
17/05/23 IN2017_V03 7 Aphelochaeta jubata
Aphelochaeta readi
Chaetocirratulus bathyalis
Chaetocirratulus glebalis
Chaetozone abyssalis
Chaetozone adusta
Kirkegaardia glabra
Polychaete worms https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1799
17/05/23 IN2017_V03 9 Ophryotrocha dahlgreni
Ophryotrocha hanneloreae
Ophryotrocha ravarae
Vrijenhoekia timoharai
Neanthes adriangloveri
Neanthes visicete
Orbiniella jamesi
Osedax waadjum
Osedax byronbayensis
Polychaete worms incl zombie worms https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1800
17/05/23 IN2017_V03 7 Asclerocheilus abyssalis
Axiokebuita australis
Oligobregma aristata
Oligobregma bathyala
Oligobregma profunda
Oligobregma renuncula
Pseudoscalibregma glandipodium
Polychaete worms https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1827
17/05/23 IN2017_V03 1 Spirodiscus ottofinamusi Tusk worm https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1801
17/05/23 IN2015_C01
IN2015_C02
IN2017_C01
IN2017_V03
8 Nothria delta
Nothria digitata
Nothria josae
Nothria simplex
Nothria minima
Nothria deltasigma
Nothria lizae
Nothria orensanzi
Polychaete worms https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1802
26/04/23 IN2017_V03
IN2018_V06
2 Boreomysis inopinata
Boreomysis urospina
Mysid crustaceans https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1845
3/04/23 IN2017_V03 1 Heterospio bidentata Polychaete worm https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5260.1.1
6/01/23 IN2017_V05 1 Coradion calendula Orange-tailed Coralfish
2/09/22 IN2015_C01
IN2015_C02
IN2017_C01
IN2017_V03
IN2018_V06
3 Comispira candida
Leucosyrinx jeedara
Leucosyrinx truwalamuka
Deep-water snail https://doi.org/10.1080/13235818.2022.2102887
8/04/22 IN2021_V03 1 Opechonoides opisthoporus Trematode (parasite) https://doi.org/10.1007/s11230-022-10034-8
16/03/22 IN2017_V03 1 Agathotanais oharai Shrimp-like crustacean https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.741536
31/10/21 IN2017_V05 1 Chromis sahulensis Damselfish https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5601971
14/08/21 IN2018_V06
IN2017_V03
IN2015_C02
IN2015_C01
11 Austrobela levis
Austrobela sagitta

Austrobela obliquicostata
Austrobela regia

Spergo parvidentata

Spergo tenuiconcha

Spergo castellum
Spergo annulata
Theta polita

Theta microcostellata

Austrotheta wanbiri
Deep-sea snails https://doi.org/10.1111/jzs.12512
10/08/21 IN2017_V05 1 Scorpaena sororreginae Western Queen Scorpionfish https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-021-00827-0
2/07/21 IN2017_V05 1 Tosana dampieriensis Reef fish https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4996.1.2
24/03/21 IN2018_V06 1 Aurogorgia tasmaniensis Octocoral https://doi.org/10.1071/IS20066
24/02/21 IN2017_V03 55 Estimated number of new polychaete worms to be described from voyage Polychaete worms https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1020.57921
21/02/21 IN2017_V03 1 Porcupinella tasmanica Octocoral https://doi.org/10.3897%2Fzookeys.1019.61789
8/02/21 IN2017_V03
IN2015_C02
IN2015_C01
6 Gladiobela abyssicola
Gladiobela acris

Gladiobela sinuosa

Gladiobela stupa

Gladiobela vitrea

Pagodibela meridionalis
Deep-sea snails https://doi.org/10.1071/IS20017
11/01/21 IN2017_V03 1 Abditoconus investigatoris Wood-boring bivalve https://doi.org/10.1080/13235818.2020.1861681
4/01/21 IN2019_V04 1 Lycopodina coralseaensis Carnivorous sponge https://doi.org/10.17082/j.2204-1478.62.2021.2020-06
13/11/20 IN2017_C01 1 Guitarra davidconryi Carnivorous sponge https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4878.2.2
12/08/20 IN2017_V03 2 Melinnopsis gardelli
Melinnopsis chadwicki
Polychaete worms https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.72.2020.1763
3/08/20 IN2017_V03 2 Gesaia csiro
Phalacrostemma timoharai
Polychaete worms https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4821.3.4
8/07/20 IN2018_V06
IN2017_V03
IN2017_C01
IN2015_C02
IN2015_C01
12 Aplotoma brevitentaculata
Austrobela rufa
Austrotheta crassidentata
Biconitoma cretosa
Fusobela parvioculata
Glaciotomella investigator
Gladiobela angulata
Globodaphne pomum
Nodothauma magnifica
Pagodibela maia
Pueridaphne cirrisulcata
Trochodaphne cuprosa
Deep-sea snails https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa088
12/05/20 IN2017_V03 17 Abyssocladia escheri
Abyssocladia annae
Abyssocladia gliscofila
Asbestopluma maxisigma
Cladorhiza australis
Cladorhiza poritea
Cladorhiza investigator
Cladorhiza moniqueae
Cladorhiza pentaeiros
Chondrocladia freycinetensis
Chondrocladia callistemonex
Chondrocladia zygainadentonis
Lycopodina nikitawimandi
Lycopodina helios
Lycopodina cassida
Lycopodina brochidodroma
Euchelipluma claudochela
Carnivorous sponges https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4774.1.1
20/12/19 IN2017_V03 3 Amphisbetia ramifera
Hebella macroplana
Lytocarpia parvispiralis
Hydroids https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.2019.78.04
13/12/19 IN2017_V03 2 Epizoanthus australis
Epizoanthus gorgonus
Cnidarians https://doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2019.1693439
30/10/19 IN2017_V03 1 Bouchetispira ponderi Deep-sea gastropod https://doi.org/10.1080/13235818.2019.1681626
1/07/19 IN2015_C01
IN2015_C02
IN2017_C01
IN2017_V03
37 Estimated number of new deep-sea crustaceans to be described from voyages Deep-sea crustaceans https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mvsr.2019.21
10/06/19 IN2017_V03 2 Petta investigatoris
Petta williamsonae
Polychaete worms https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4614.2.3
4/06/19 IN2015_C01
IN2015_C02
1 Tethya irisae Deep-sea stalked sponge https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2019.529
15/05/19 IN2015_C02 1 Cymonomus triplex Deep-sea crab https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.71.2019.1682
15/05/19 IN2017_V05 1 Gymnapogon velum Cardinalfish https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2854383
12/04/18 IN2016_V04 1 Pseudo-nitzschia hallegraeffii Diatom https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195622

Add your name to the list

Have you named a new species that we've missed? Please let us know so we can add you to the list. Researchers can submit a publication online via the MNF Reporting portal maintained by the NCMI Information and Data Centre.

Visit the NCMI Information and Data Centre

The NCMI Information and Data Centre (IDC) manages all data collected by the Marine National Facility, including via RV Investigator and other vessels.

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