Marine researchers have discovered a creature in the enigmatic depths of the ocean, and the world is completely astonished. Off the Pacific coast of Canada, scientists were investigating an ancient underwater volcano when they made two amazing discoveries. While they thought the volcano would be extinct, it was found to be still active and spewing. They also discovered that it was completely covered in thousands of enormous eggs! Yes, you heard that right. Even imagining that sight can give us a hint of nature’s magnificence.
A Million Eggs Were Covering This Underwater Volcano
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that these were the eggs of the elusive and rare Pacific White Skate (Bathyraja Spinosissima). The skate is a species of deep-diving ray-like fish that is closely related to sharks. Female adult skates are known to reach lengths of up to 6.5 feet, making them larger than the majority of people. They typically inhabit water depths of 800 to 2,900 metres, and their eggs can reach a height of 1.5 feet. Quite fascinating, right?
Even though the egg-like nature of the structures was obvious to the marine researchers, to the untrained eye, it would have simply looked like a sea of enormous ravioli beneath the sea. Yes, we said ravioli! In fact, as the researchers were still taking in the sight, even more eggs were being added to the mix. The researchers found a Pacific White Skate slipping in and out of the fronds. The species’ egg-laying behaviour has never been captured on camera before.
This Is The Second Time A Pacific White Skate Nursery Was Discovered
According to the team, the area may be ideal for a skate nursery because of the volcano’s ongoing heating of the region. As per the research, the young of this species probably develop over a four-year period, and the warm water likely speeds up the eggs’ incubation, producing hatchlings with higher chances of survival. Furthermore, the 1.5-kilometre-deep nursery was found laying in the corals. It makes it a very secure spot for young skates to learn before they can venture even deeper into the ocean.
This discovery of a Pacific White Skate nursery is the second in history. The earlier find was made close to a few hydrothermal ducts that heated the water near the Galapagos Islands. That discovery suggests that these skates may routinely seek out volcanic heat to hatch their eggs. There were not millions of eggs in this area, but only a few dozen.
This was truly an amazing discovery made by the researchers at the Northeast Pacific Deep-Sea Expedition.
Cover Image Courtesy: Youtube/Cherisse Du Preez -DFO