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Dulcibella

Species of amphipod From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dulcibella
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Dulcibella camanchaca is a species of amphipod in the monotypic genus Dulcibella.[a] The species inhabits the Atacama Trench, and is found at depths of nearly 8,000 m (26,000 ft) in the South Pacific Ocean near Chile;[5][6] this makes it one of the deepest-living predators identified to date, being well adapted to the extreme conditions of the hadal zone.[7][8]

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Discovery

The species was first observed during a 2023 oceanographic expedition,[9] in the process of installing the Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System (IDOOS), a network of sensors designed to aid scientific research within the Atacama Trench.[10] The research team used benthic landers to collect specimens from depths nearing 8,000 meters, and four specimens were used to describe the species.[11] Dulcibella camanchaca was formally described in 2024 by marine biologists Johanna Weston and Carolina González;[12][13] the identification of D. camanchaca as a new species was confirmed through DNA analysis and detailed morphological examination.[14] This discovery has contributed to the growing recognition of the Atacama Trench as a region of high biodiversity and endemism.[15][16] Continued exploration of these regions may yield insights into the adaptations and biodiversity of organisms living in extreme conditions.[17]

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Description

Dulcibella camanchaca is larger than most other amphipods found at similar depths, measuring approximately 4 cm (1.6 in) in length.[18] It exhibits predatory behavior, using specialized appendages to capture and consume smaller crustaceans,[19] which suggest an ecological role as an active predator in the hadal zone.[20][21]

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Notes

  1. The genus name Dulcibella derives from Dulcinea of Don Quixote, consistent with a tradition of naming amphipods after literary figures.[dubious discuss][failed verification][2] The specific epithet camanchaca originates from an Andean word[vague] meaning "darkness," referencing its deep-sea habitat.[3][4]

References

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