Scientists say they recently captured “supergiant” deep-sea crustaceans nearly a foot long – the likes of which have rarely been seen – in an ocean trench off New Zealand.
The seven amphipods measure about 28 centimeters (about 11 inches) long, which is 10 times the length of normal deep-sea amphipods and nearly three times the size of what are considered giant amphipods, Scotland’s University of Aberdeen said Thursday.
They are the biggest whole specimens of supergiants ever recorded, according to the university.
The team’s deep-sea cameras also caught footage of a supergiant that scientists estimated was about 34 centimeters (13 inches) long.
Though the creatures may remind observers of shrimp, amphipods are an order apart.
Scientists with the university and New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research were looking for deep-sea snailfish when a trap made the unexpected catch.
“(After) the traps came on deck … I stopped and thought, ‘What on Earth is that?’ whilst catching a glimpse of an amphipod far bigger than I ever though possible,” the voyage’s leader, Alan Jamieson of the University of Aberdeen's Oceanlab, said in a news release. “It’s a bit like finding a footlong cockroach.”
The capture was made about 7 kilometers (more than 4 miles) below the surface, the deepest point that supergiants have been found, the university said.
Supergiants were found a few times off Hawaii in the 1970s and 1980s but haven’t been reported since, according to the university.
The scientists will now try to determine whether the species they caught are the same as those found off Hawaii decades ago.
December 2011: Giant cannibal shrimp worry Gulf Coast watchers
October 2010: New fish species found deep below ocean surface
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Possible result of highly radiated water runoff from Japan?
They're amphipods, not giant shrimp! This is good to know though! After we've fished the oceans empty we can still find food in the deepsea trenches! Amphipod "Scampi" w/linguini, any1!?
I KNEW IT. I knew John Holmes was alive.
@ TORI ©
You say you're a native of Nawlins ? I absolutely love that place. We were over there a few weeks ago.
@Bobcat, yep I was born there. How did you like it? My Grandmother still lives there and Dad and I were there in Dec.
@ Tori
Well you've got me ready to make another trip over there. Think I'll start with Jackson Square this time. I love all the performing artists down there. You never know what to expect.
@ TORI ©
I absolutely love New Orleans. We spent many a day night in the french quarter. Each time I go, it never ceases to fascinate me.
@bobcat,it is so rich in culture and the architecture is astonishing. Did you frequent the infamous clubs?
TORI ©
Well girl, you've got me all fired up again. Looks like I'm going to have to make another trip over there. I never do regret my visits.
The way I love this lifestyle here, you would swear I was born and raised here.
easy way to make beignets:stick frozen biscuits in deep fryer then dip in powdered sugar
@ Tori
You guys sound like my kind of people. I like to get stuff started too. When you can jumped on, it's just that much funnier.
@bobcat, we love to laugh and get things started. Yes, we sound like we are all cut from the same cloth.
Shrimps from other countries = eat human waste!
All of these people ranting about "god". It is time for them to learn that "god's" time is over. We live in the real world, imaginary things and magical powers like walking on water, DO NOT EXIST!!!.
So then where did ampiphods come from?
Absolutely, Brian.
Not everyone who believes in God is a gun-toting, science-hating, gay-stoning, woman-demeaning jerk. Some happen to be gay, super liberal psychology majors... Oh yeah, that's me.
@nuh. Who created God? If these creatures had to have been created by a higher power,
then the same applies to God. I'll tell you who created God.. Human beings did.
Wow this is so cool. The fact that these scientists discovered such new and large specimens from the ocean trench is remarkable! It is not surprising though that such crustaceans were found at an ocean trench. Other unusual creatures such as the gulper fish and the deep-sea angler are only a couple of many trench dwellers. I hope that these scientists would eventually conduct research on these shrimp's behavior so that we can understand differences and/or similarities among related genera.
I'm wondering what it tastes like with some garlic butter... Mmmmm, amphipods...
LOL, I was thinking the exact same thing. Was thinking what a steamed super giant shrimp-like creature would taste like (with extra bay seasoning..mmmmm)...I can only imagine it would taste just like shrimp/lobster hybrid? lol
they look delicious.
Looks like Redlobsters or Applebee want to get their hands on this one. Gold rush seafood.
It's looks yummy went you cook red.