Creatures from the deep: New species from Chilean Patagonia
Vreni Häussermann has explored the waters off Chilean Patagonia for over 20 years. Here she shares images of some of the wildlife in the region, including previously undocumented species.
Pictured: An unknown sea fan called a gorgonian, of the genus Acanthogorgia and potentially new species, requiring further study.
courtesy Vrenni Haussermann and Gunter Forsterra
Left: Isoparactis fabiani, a sea anemone first described in 2008 and named after Häussermann's son Fabian. Right: Isoparactis fionae, a sea anemone first described in 2013 and named after Häussermann's daughter Fiona.
courtesy Vrenni Haussermann and Gunter Forsterra
An unknown species of gorgonian of the genus Acanthogorgia, with an unknown and potentially new species of crab.
courtesy Roland Melzer
Caryophyllia huinayensis, a stony coral that was first described in 2005, by Häussermann and her husband, co-researcher Gunter Forsterra.
courtesy Vrenni Haussermann and Gunter Forsterra
Tethocyathus endesa, a stony coral found at depths up to 240 meters, first described in 2005, by Häussermann and Forsterra.
courtesy Vrenni Haussermann and Gunter Forsterra
Ectoprocta bryozoan Hornera, potentially a new species still being studied.
courtesy Vrenni Haussermann and Gunter Forsterra
Polychaeta Apomatus, potentially a new species still being studied.
courtesy Vrenni Haussermann and Gunter Forsterra
Opisthobranchia nudibranch Janolus, a new species in the process of being described by taxonomists.
courtesy Vrenni Haussermann and Gunter Forsterra
Opisthobranchia nudibranch Doto, a new species in the process of being described by taxonomists.
courtesy Vrenni Haussermann and Gunter Forsterra
Halopteris enersis, first described in 2006.
courtesy Horia Galea
Mesozoanthus fossii, an encrusted anemone first described in 2009.
