Abstract
A new species of abyssal Neanthes Kinberg, 1865, N. goodayi sp. nov., is described from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the central Pacific Ocean, a region targeted for seabed mineral exploration for polymetallic nodules. It is a relatively large animal found living inside polymetallic nodules and in xenophyophores (giant Foraminifera) growing on nodules, highlighting the importance of the mineral resource itself as a distinct microhabitat. Neanthes goodayi sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners primarily by its distinctive, enlarged anterior pair of eyes in addition to characters of the head, pharynx and parapodia. Widespread, abundant, and easily recognisable, N. goodayi sp. nov. is also considered to be a suitable candidate as a potential indicator taxon for future monitoring of the impacts of seabed mining.
Highlights
Exploration of our deep oceans for potential new industrial activities has increased rapidly in recent decades with the so-called ‘blue growth’ economy (European Commission 2020)
A new species of abyssal Neanthes Kinberg, 1865, N. goodayi sp. nov., is described from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the central Pacific Ocean, a region targeted for seabed mineral exploration for polymetallic nodules
Critical to a sustainable blue economy is baseline knowledge on the environmental characteristics of these exploration areas, in particular knowledge of the species that live there (Glover et al 2018). This is especially the case in the central Pacific abyss Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a region targeted for seabed mineral exploration for polymetallic nodules, where basic faunistic and taxonomic data are notably lacking and many animals likely undescribed or undocumented (Glover et al 2018)
Summary
Exploration of our deep oceans for potential new industrial activities has increased rapidly in recent decades with the so-called ‘blue growth’ economy (European Commission 2020). Critical to a sustainable blue economy is baseline knowledge on the environmental characteristics of these exploration areas, in particular knowledge of the species that live there (Glover et al 2018). This is especially the case in the central Pacific abyss Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a region targeted for seabed mineral exploration for polymetallic nodules, where basic faunistic and taxonomic data are notably lacking and many animals likely undescribed or undocumented (Glover et al 2018). Information on the existence, abundance and distribution of these species could be essential to environmental monitoring and conservation measures in the region
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