Census of Marine Life

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The Census of Marine Life is a global network of researchers in 80+ nations engaged in a ten-year scientific initiative to assess and explain the diversity, distribution and abundance of marine life in the world’s oceans - past, present and future. Conducting research in under-explored and well-studied habitats alike, in both coastal and deep waters, the Census is identifying new organisms, collecting new information on ocean life, analyzing historical documents, and modeling future ecosystems. This will enable scientists to compare what once lived in the oceans to what lives there now, and to project what will live there in the future. The world's first comprehensive Census of Marine Life - past, present, and future - will be released in 2010.

Collaborator Contributions

This recently discovered hairy crab species (Kiwa hirsuta) has no eyes.

Yeti Crab

The yeti crab (Kiwa hirsuta), an unusual, hairy crab with no eyes, was discovered in 2005 on a hydrothermal vent near Easter Island. It represents not only a new species but also a new genus—Kiwa, after the mythological Polynesian goddess of shellfish. Learn more about the Census of Marine Life and see other species found during this 10-year project.

Researchers use underwater equipment to measure a skate (Bathyraja richardsoni) on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Measuring a Skate on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

How does this skate (Bathyraja richardsoni) measure up? Researchers use underwater equipment to estimate its size. The marks on the meter-long scale bars are 10 cm apart. The yellow ribbons show which way the current is flowing on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

The robotic arm of the ROV Quest finds life at an undersea vent.

Studying Hydrothermal Vent Life

Census researchers manipulate the robotic arm of the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Quest to study shrimp and other deep sea life forms. They discovered the creatures at a hydrothermal vent 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) below the surface of the Atlantic.

<p>A fringe of tentacles surrounds the bell of this jellyfish (<em>Halicreas minimum</em>).</p>

Midwater Jellyfish

A fringe of short tentacles surrounds the flattened bell of this tiny, transparent jellyfish (Halicreas minimum), which can be found at depths up to 984 feet (300 meters). But it would be hard to spot: the bell grows up to just 4 centimeters (2 inches) across! See more deep ocean diversity and explore more about jellyfish biodiversity.

This jelly’s red color provides camouflage in the ocean depths.

Unidentified Comb Jelly

This jelly’s red color provides camouflage in the deep ocean. Red light rarely reaches those depths, and most deep-sea animals have lost the ability to see red. The long, complex tentacles of this unidentified comb jelly (Order Cydippia) have sticky cells that can snag prey, and then retract.

Orange Roughy

Scientists believe orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) live longer than 150 years! Here, Census of Marine Life researchers used an underwater camera to photograph this group of orange roughy swimming over New Zealand’s Graveyard seamount complex.

Photograph of a transparent polka-dotted squid in the dark ocean.

Cockatoo Squid

This transparent cockatoo squid (Leachia sp.), also known as a glass squid, lives in the depths of the ocean and has many adaptations to help it survive there. It retains ammonia solutions inside its body that give it a balloon-like shape and help it float. It has large eyes and pigment-filled cells, or chromatophores, that look like polka dots and serve as camouflage.

<p>This new species of lobster (<em>Dinochelus ausubeli</em>) is blind and has bizarre claws. It was discovered about 300 meters (984 feet) deep in the Phillipine Sea by a Census of Marine Life expedition.</p>

Blind Lobster

This new species of lobster is blind—an adaptation to deep-sea life—and has very bizarre claws, or chelipeds. It was discovered about 300 meters (984 feet) deep in the Phillipine Sea by a Census of Marine Life expedition. Not only was this a new species, but it was placed in an entirely new genus as well. It's scientific name,Dinochelus ausubeli, honors a co-founder of the Census, Jesse Ausubel.

These are the first zoanthids (relatives of coral) recorded at a hydrothermal vent.

Zoanthids on Hydrothermal Vent

Flower-like zoanthids, relatives of coral, carpet a hydrothermal vent. This species of zoanthid is the first ever discovered at a hydrothermal vent. See more pictures of incredible deep sea diversity at our slideshow!

Photograph of a transparent comb jelly against a dark sea.

Bioluminescent Comb Jelly

Like many deep sea creatures, this tiny comb jelly (Bathocyroe fosteri) has a transparent body, enabling it to blend into the surrounding waters. This ctenophore is very common around the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. More about the deep ocean can be found in the Deep Ocean Exploration section.

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