In a groundbreaking deep-sea discovery, scientists have identified three new species of sea spiders that appear to survive by feeding on methane-fueled bacteria—marking the first time this bizarre diet has ever been observed in sea spiders.

The creatures, part of the Sericosura genus, were found crawling near methane seeps off the U.S. West Coast, thousands of feet below the surface. At those depths, sunlight doesn’t reach, and life relies on chemical energy instead. Here, bacteria thrive by consuming methane bubbling up from beneath the seafloor—methane that is also a potent greenhouse gas. These bacteria, scientists believe, have formed a mutually beneficial partnership with the newly discovered sea spiders.

The Sea Spider’s Unusual Diet

Rather than hunting or trapping prey, these translucent, 1-centimeter-long sea spiders may “farm” bacteria directly from their own bodies. According to lead researcher Shana Goffredi, a biology professor at Occidental College, the bacteria colonize the spiders’ exoskeletons. In turn, the spiders appear to graze on these microbes for nourishment.

“Just like you would eat eggs for breakfast, the sea spider grazes the surface of its body, and it munches all those bacteria for nutrition,” Goffredi said. This behavior is strikingly different from other sea spider species, which typically use fang-like appendages to suck fluids from jellyfish and other soft-bodied prey.

Lab analysis revealed the Sericosura spiders lack those predatory tools, which supports the idea that they rely entirely on their symbiotic bacteria for food.

Symbiosis With a Planet-Saving Twist

Marine microbes that feed on methane don’t just help the spiders—they may also play a bigger environmental role. Goffredi and her team suggest that this spider-bacteria relationship could help prevent methane from reaching Earth’s atmosphere, where it would contribute to global warming.

“Even though they’re small, these animals have a big impact in that environment,” she said. “We can’t ever hope to sustainably use the oceans if we don’t really understand the oceans.”

Nicole Dubilier, a marine biologist and symbiosis expert at the Max Planck Institute in Germany, who was not involved in the study, called the spider-bacteria partnership a “Goldilocks zone” for both creatures. “Even if 80% of the bacterial population gets eaten, it’s worth it for the 20% to survive and reproduce,” she said.

This kind of symbiosis is rare but not entirely unheard of. Other deep-sea creatures like tube worms and sponges have similar methane-based diets. But this is the first time sea spiders have been found doing it.

A Meal That Starts at Birth

The study also uncovered something remarkable about how the spiders pass on their methane-powered lifestyle.

Because these sea spiders are so tiny, many of their organs are crammed into their legs. Females lay eggs from their “kneecaps,” and males scoop them up into bundles that dangle like bracelets from their limbs. After hatching, researchers observed bacteria transferring from the father spiders to the newborns—giving the baby spiders an instant food source.

This kind of microbiome inheritance, Goffredi said, could help scientists better understand how beneficial bacteria—such as those in the human gut—are passed from parent to offspring.

A Fragile, Hidden World

The three new species were found in separate locations off Southern California and Alaska, suggesting they’re highly localized to specific deep-sea habitats. That detail carries a warning.

“People tend to think of the deep sea as a kind of homogeneous ecosystem, but that’s actually untrue,” Goffredi said. “There’s a lot of biodiversity by region. If you disturb one area—like through deep-sea mining—you might be destroying a habitat that doesn’t exist anywhere else.”

As scientists continue to explore the ocean floor, they’re likely to uncover even more strange and specialized life forms like the methane-powered Sericosura. But these discoveries are also a reminder: even the smallest and strangest creatures may hold big secrets—and play vital roles in keeping our planet in balance.

Source: CNN – First methane-powered sea spiders found crawling on the ocean floor

The post Meet the Methane-Eating Sea Spiders Found Crawling the Ocean Floor appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Crashing waves, vibrant coral reefs, and shimmering blue waters set the stage for David Attenborough’s latest film, Ocean with David Attenborough, a sweeping tribute to the planet’s most crucial ecosystem. Released in theaters today—coinciding with the legendary broadcaster’s 99th birthday—the film will also be available on Disney+ and Hulu this June.

Attenborough, whose voice has guided generations through the wonders of nature, opens the documentary with a powerful declaration: “The most important place on Earth is not on land but at sea.”

A Lifetime of Change Beneath the Surface

Spanning Attenborough’s nearly 100 years of life, Ocean reflects on how our seas have changed dramatically—both in beauty and in peril. From dazzling discoveries of marine life to catastrophic damage caused by humans, the film serves as both a celebration and a call to action.

“We share those wonderful discoveries,” Attenborough says, “uncover why our ocean is in such poor health, and, perhaps most importantly, show how it can be restored.”

Viewers are taken on a global journey, exploring kelp forests, towering underwater mountains, and fragile coral reefs. The ocean, Attenborough emphasizes, is not only the Earth’s largest carbon sink—absorbing vast amounts of CO₂—it is also on the front lines of climate change.

A Crisis Hidden Beneath the Waves

Filmed during an unprecedented marine heatwave, Ocean reveals the devastating reality of coral bleaching—graveyards of lifeless, white coral stretching across the sea floor. Attenborough doesn’t shy away from the human causes of this damage, including industrial fishing practices that have left entire ecosystems—and local communities—struggling.

One particularly haunting sequence captures bottom trawling, a method where massive nets drag heavy chains across the ocean floor, destroying everything in their path and releasing huge clouds of carbon-rich sediment.

“The trails of destruction can be seen from space,” Attenborough narrates, condemning the wastefulness of catching unintended marine life, most of which is thrown away.

A Message of Hope and Urgency

Despite the grim images, Attenborough’s tone remains hopeful. The ocean, he says, is incredibly resilient—if given the chance to recover. From Kiribati and Palau to West Papua and the Mediterranean, regions that have restricted fishing are seeing marine life bounce back.

The film highlights Papahānaumokuākea, the world’s largest marine reserve near Hawaii, where native fishers report thriving fish stocks and flourishing seabird populations.

Enric Sala, a marine ecologist and advisor on the film, reinforces this message. He recalls diving in the Southern Line Islands after a major coral die-off. Just four years later, he witnessed the reef’s full recovery—thanks to the return of fish that helped clean and rebuild the ecosystem.

“If we stop overfishing today, the ocean begins to heal tomorrow,” says Sala.

Protecting a Third of the Ocean

One of the film’s core messages is the need for more protected areas with no-take zones. Currently, less than 3% of the world’s oceans are fully protected. Scientists, along with Attenborough, argue this figure must rise to at least 30%.

History offers reason for optimism: the global ban on commercial whaling in 1986 helped many whale populations recover. With similar determination, the ocean can thrive again.

Sala believes that Ocean may finally spark the shift scientists have long urged. “We’ve been saying it for years. Now that David Attenborough says it, people will listen.”

A Timely Plea Before the World Watches

The film lands just ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, this June. Although many countries have pledged to protect 30% of marine environments by 2030, action has lagged. Attenborough calls on leaders to move from paper promises to real change.

“This could be the moment,” he says. “Nearly every country on Earth has just agreed in principle to protect a third of the ocean. Together, we now face the challenge of making it happen.”

With his signature calm and urgency, David Attenborough reminds us: the ocean is not just a distant frontier—it is the heart of our planet. And it needs us now more than ever.

Source: CNN – On his 99th birthday, David Attenborough’s ‘Ocean’ highlights ‘the most important place on Earth’

The post David Attenborough Turns 99 and Urges the World to Save the Ocean appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Unforgettable Moment Caught on Camera

A 24-year-old kayaker, Adrian Simancas, experienced a once-in-a-lifetime encounter when a humpback whale briefly swallowed him before spitting him back out. The dramatic incident occurred last Saturday in the icy waters of Chile’s Patagonia region, near the Strait of Magellan, and was captured on camera by his father, Dell Simancas.

A Close Call in the Ocean

In the jaw-dropping footage, the massive whale surfaces unexpectedly, engulfing Adrian for a few moments before releasing him back into the water. In the background, his father can be heard shouting, “Grab the boat!“, as Adrian struggles to regain control.

“I thought it swallowed me,” Adrian recalls in the video.

What It Felt Like to Be Inside a Whale

Speaking to CNN en Español, Adrian described the surreal experience of being momentarily trapped inside the whale’s mouth:

“When I turned around, I felt a slimy texture on my face. I saw dark blue, white, and something closing in around me before I was pulled underwater.”

For a terrifying moment, he thought it was the end. “I thought I was going to die. I didn’t know what it was.”

Luckily, his life vest pulled him back to the surface within two seconds, allowing him to process what had just happened.

A Father’s Shock and Relief

Dell Simancas, who had been filming the waters due to the “exciting waves,” was stunned when he realized what had happened.

“I heard a loud wave behind me, and when I turned around, Adrian and his kayak were gone. I panicked. Then, a few seconds later, I saw him resurface, followed by his pack raft.”

Despite the terrifying ordeal, when asked if they would go kayaking again, both father and son enthusiastically replied in unison, “Of course.”

Why Did the Whale Swallow Him?

Wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta explained that the humpback whale was likely lunge-feeding on krill or fish and that Adrian was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“The whale was not targeting him. These animals do not have the ability to swallow humans, as they have a narrow esophagus and lack teeth for chewing,” she clarified.

The Strait of Magellan: A Wildlife Hotspot

The Strait of Magellan is a popular destination for kayaking, whale watching, and other outdoor adventures. Humpback whales, known for their acrobatic displays, are frequently spotted jumping and slapping the water with their fins and tails.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), humpback whales are found in all major oceans and are a favorite among whale watchers due to their playful and active nature.

A Harrowing Yet Fascinating Encounter

While the experience was undoubtedly terrifying, Adrian and his father now have an incredible story to tell—a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with one of the ocean’s most magnificent creatures.

Source

The post Kayaker Swallowed and Spit Out by Humpback Whale in Shocking Incident appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Corals, typically known for being stationary organisms, have just been observed displaying a surprising ability to “walk” toward blue light, similar to the pulsing movement of jellyfish. A new study focused on the free-living mushroom coral Cycloseris cyclolites has shed light on this unexpected behavior, offering new insights into coral movement and survival strategies.

A Shift from Stationary to Active Movement

While most corals are sessile—remaining fixed to a surface throughout their life—the mushroom coral C. cyclolites starts life anchored to a substrate. As it matures, it becomes mobile, dissolving its stem and moving to new locations. This species is typically found in high-energy areas of the Indo-Pacific, where strong waves and competition for space make survival challenging. The ability to migrate toward deeper, calmer waters helps these corals survive by reducing wave energy and competition for food and sunlight.

Dr. Brett Lewis, lead author of the study and postdoctoral research fellow at the Queensland University of Technology, explained that these environmental pressures force C. cyclolites to move and relocate, enhancing their chances of reproduction and survival.

Groundbreaking Discovery of Active Movement

Previous studies hinted that some free-living corals could move in response to light, but how they navigated their environment remained unclear due to limitations in imaging technology. This new research, published in PLOS One on January 22, 2025, reveals that C. cyclolites moves actively by a technique known as pulsed inflation when exposed to blue light. This movement pattern mimics the pulsing, swimming motions of jellyfish, challenging prior assumptions about coral behavior.

The Fascinating Behavior: Toward the Blue Light

To explore this, Lewis and his team collected five C. cyclolites specimens from the coast of Cairns, Australia, and transported them to an aquarium at Queensland University of Technology. There, they tested the corals’ response to blue and white light.

The results were striking: C. cyclolites showed a strong preference for blue light, with most corals moving toward it in a clear phototactic response. The corals exhibited periodic bursts of movement, or pulsed inflation, that lasted for one to two hours. In blue light trials, some corals moved as far as 220 millimeters (8.7 inches) within 24 hours, despite being limited by the tank walls.

In contrast, only 13.3% of the corals moved in response to white light, traveling significantly shorter distances. When both blue and white light were presented together, all corals moved toward the blue light, completely avoiding the white light.

Understanding the Mechanism: Pulsed Inflation

The movement was driven by a combination of three factors: tissue inflation, the expansion of pads on the coral’s underside, and the twisting and contracting of the outer tissues. These mechanisms work together to create the pulsed inflation movement, allowing the coral to “walk” across surfaces.

While this is similar to how jellyfish move through water using pulsed inflation, C. cyclolites uses this technique to traverse surfaces, not swim through water. This unique movement suggests that corals may share similar complex biomechanics and possibly a comparable nervous system to jellyfish, their evolutionary relatives.

Why It Matters: Implications for Conservation and Ecology

The study’s findings could have far-reaching implications for coral conservation and understanding coral ecology. According to marine biologist Andrew Davies, who was not involved in the study, understanding how species like C. cyclolites respond to light could shed light on their development and behavior, including the role of light in spawning and the behavior of coral larvae.

For coral restoration and conservation efforts, this research highlights the importance of understanding coral movement and how light influences coral behavior. If other corals exhibit similar light-responsive behaviors, it could inform strategies for restoring coral habitats and ensuring more successful outcomes in conservation programs.

Conclusion

The discovery that Cycloseris cyclolites actively “walks” toward blue light not only surprises us but also opens a window into the complexities of coral life. This study challenges the long-standing assumption that corals are purely passive organisms, revealing that some species have sophisticated, light-driven behaviors that may be crucial for their survival and reproduction. The knowledge gained could guide future conservation efforts, offering hope for the preservation of these vital marine ecosystems.

Source

The post Mushroom Coral Shows Jellyfish-like Movement Toward Blue Light appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Not many children can say they took their first steps aboard a yacht in the Arctic’s northwest passage—but Tom can. For the first four years of his life, he and his family, Ghislain Bardout and Emmanuelle Périé-Bardout, spent much of their time at sea. The Bardouts are ocean explorers and founders of Under The Pole, an organization dedicated to documenting the mysteries of the deep ocean.

Tom and his older brother Robin, now 8 and 12, have spent roughly half their lives aboard the Bardouts’ expedition yacht, “The Why.” Their voyages have taken them from the icy polar regions to vibrant tropical reefs, all in pursuit of exploring the ocean’s “twilight” zone—an enigmatic area between 30 and 150 meters (100 to 490 feet) deep, often referred to as the mesophotic zone.

While their home base is in Concarneau, a coastal town in Brittany, France, the family’s true home is their 18-meter-long yacht, shared with scientists, doctors, a cook, and even a teacher. Despite their unusual lifestyle, Emmanuelle emphasizes that they maintain a regular routine, working and sending their children to school just like any other family.

However, the Bardouts’ work is anything but ordinary. Few people have witnessed the wonders they’ve explored beneath the surface, and that’s exactly the point.

Unveiling the Ocean’s Secrets

Although oceans cover 70% of the Earth, they remain some of the least understood ecosystems. Less than 30% of the seafloor has been mapped in detail, and it’s estimated that up to 91% of marine species are still unknown to science. The Bardouts believe that by documenting these underwater ecosystems, they can raise awareness of the environmental threats they face.

“The oceans are under immense stress,” says Emmanuelle. “From rising temperatures causing coral bleaching to pollution and overfishing, we must act now.”

Through their exploration, the Bardouts hope to shine a light on the fragility of these ecosystems and help protect them. In their latest mission, they focused on discovering and documenting “marine animal forests” in the Mediterranean Sea. These diverse underwater ecosystems, full of sponges, corals, and other marine life, act like terrestrial forests, offering shelter to countless species.

However, much like land forests, these underwater habitats are fragile. Disruptions, like bottom trawling—the fishing practice that drags nets along the ocean floor—can turn them into barren rocky deserts.

Protecting the Mediterranean’s Underwater Forests

The family recently spent several months investigating marine animal forests in the waters off Greece, Italy, and France. Their mission was part of Under The Pole’s DeepLife program, funded by the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. These marine forests, rich in biodiversity, are crucial to the ocean’s health but are increasingly under threat. Over recent years, the Mediterranean has suffered from frequent marine heatwaves, killing off many surface ecosystems.

In Greece, the team ventured to Fourni, hoping to document a marine forest previously captured by an underwater drone. After facing setbacks due to signs of trawling damage, the team made a breakthrough when they discovered a thriving forest at a depth of 100 meters (328 feet).

“When you find a marine animal forest, it’s like finding an oasis—a rich, living ecosystem,” says Ghislain. “This is the kind of life we want to show the world.”

The team spent weeks collecting data on the ecosystem’s currents, acoustics, bacteria, and marine life. They plan to present their findings at the United Nations Ocean Conference in France in June 2025, hoping to influence global policy on protecting these vital ecosystems and curbing destructive fishing practices.

Pioneering Deep Sea Exploration

In recent years, technological advancements have allowed for deeper dives into the ocean’s twilight zone, but this remains a specialized and dangerous operation. Divers use “rebreathers”—military-grade equipment that recycles carbon dioxide into oxygen, allowing for longer, bubble-free dives.

During typical missions, lasting six to seven months, the team completes between 300 and 400 dives, each lasting three to six hours, with a substantial portion of that time spent ascending to allow the body to decompress. The process is physically demanding, with divers sometimes losing several kilograms during a single dive.

“The deeper you go, the faster time seems to fly,” Ghislain explains. “At 100 meters, you focus on the task—taking samples, deploying sensors, capturing images—and before you know it, it’s time to ascend.”

This intense physical toll can lead to serious health risks, including decompression sickness. Yet, despite the dangers, the Bardouts continue their exploration because they understand its importance in the fight against climate change.

A Legacy of Exploration and Hope

For Emmanuelle and Ghislain, the work they do is more than just a passion—it’s a responsibility. Since becoming parents, their approach to diving has become more cautious. The safety of their family is always a priority, but they remain dedicated to their mission.

Emmanuelle recalls being inspired as a child by French underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau. Now, she and her children live that same adventurous life, exploring uncharted waters and discovering hidden ecosystems.

“I don’t think our kids realize how lucky they are,” she says. “We can nurture their curiosity and show them a world few people will ever see.”

In many ways, Tom and Robin represent the future the Bardouts are working to protect. Over years of exploration, they have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of climate change, and they believe it’s their generation’s duty to act.

“Humanity is destroying its environment,” says Ghislain. “This is the challenge of our century, and one we must address for the sake of the next generation.”

Through their ongoing explorations, the Bardouts hope to inspire a new wave of environmental stewardship and help preserve the ocean’s fragile ecosystems for years to come.

Source

The post Children of the Sea: A Family’s Journey Through the Twilight Zone appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

A humpback whale has stunned researchers by undertaking one of the longest and most extraordinary migrations ever recorded—spanning over 13,000 kilometers between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Experts believe this remarkable feat might be linked to climate change or the quest for a mate.

An Unprecedented Journey

Initially spotted off Colombia’s Pacific coast in 2017, the same whale resurfaced years later near Zanzibar, along the Indian Ocean. This journey, spanning two distant breeding grounds, is an unprecedented event in whale migration.

Dr. Ekaterina Kalashnikova from the Tanzania Cetaceans Program described the migration as “truly impressive and unusual, even for a highly migratory species like humpback whales.”

A photograph taken in 2022 off Zanzibar confirmed the whale’s identity, and researchers believe this could be the longest recorded journey by a humpback whale.

Humpback Whales: Nature’s Long-Distance Swimmers

Humpback whales are renowned for their long migrations, swimming annually between tropical breeding zones and cooler feeding grounds. However, this male’s journey was exceptional, highlighting possible shifts in migration patterns.

Scientists suggest several theories behind this record-breaking trek:

1. Climate Change: Declining food sources, such as krill, may force whales to explore new territories.
2. Rebounding Populations: Conservation efforts have increased whale numbers, leading to the exploration of untapped breeding grounds.
3. Environmental and Evolutionary Factors: Global climate changes and extreme environmental events might also influence migration behaviors.

“These factors, alongside evolutionary mechanisms, could be driving such extraordinary movements,” added Dr. Kalashnikova.

Tracking the Whale’s Path

The whale was first photographed with a group of humpbacks near Colombia in 2013, seen again in the same region in 2017, and finally identified near Zanzibar in 2022. Its migration path, measured as a minimum great-circle distance of 13,046 kilometers, likely extended even further due to oceanic currents and feeding stops.

How Science Tracks Whales

The study relied on thousands of whale tail photographs submitted to Happywhale.com, a citizen science platform. Using artificial intelligence, the platform matches the unique patterns on whale flukes, allowing researchers to map individual movements globally.

This incredible journey underscores the importance of ongoing conservation and research efforts as whales adapt to a rapidly changing world.

Source

The post Humpback Whale Sets Record with 13,000-Kilometer Migration appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.