Four new sea creature species discovered off Scotland

Updated
Undated handout image issued by Marine Scotland Science of an Antonbrunnia head which is one of four sea creatures previously unknown to science to have been  discovered in deep ocean waters hundreds of miles off the north west coast of Scotland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday December 27, 2013. See PA story SCIENCE Marine. Photo credit should read: Marine Scotland Science/PA WireNOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.


Scientists have made an "incredible discovery" of four new species of sea creature off the west coast of Scotland around the Rockall plateau.

All four were found at Rockall, 260 miles west of the Western Isles.

Undated handout image issued by Marine Scotland Science of an Thyasira Scotiae which is one of four sea creatures previously unknown to science to have been  discovered in deep ocean waters hundreds of miles off the north west coast of Scotland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday December 27, 2013. See PA story SCIENCE Marine. Photo credit should read: Marine Scotland Science/PA WireNOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.


According to the BBC, the new species include a large sea snail, two kinds of clam and a marine worm.

The sea snail Volutopsius scotiae and clam Thyasira scotiae were named after research vessel MRV Scotia.

Undated handout image issued by Marine Scotland Science of an Antonbrunnia in situ which is one of four sea creatures previously unknown to science to have been  discovered in deep ocean waters hundreds of miles off the north west coast of Scotland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday December 27, 2013. See PA story SCIENCE Marine. Photo credit should read: Marine Scotland Science/PA WireNOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.


The sea snails were discovered over an area with depths of up to one mile.

National Museum of Wales is currently examining the marine worm, which was discovered inside one of the clams.

Undated handout image issued by Marine Scotland Science of an Volutopsius scotae which is one of four sea creatures previously unknown to science to have been  discovered in deep ocean waters hundreds of miles off the north west coast of Scotland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday December 27, 2013. See PA story SCIENCE Marine. Photo credit should read: Marine Scotland Science/PA WireNOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.


According to The Courier, Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Our oceans are often called Earth's final frontier and these new species prove just how much we still have to learn about this rich marine habitat.

Undated handout image issued by Marine Scotland Science of an Isorropodon mackayi which is one of four sea creatures previously unknown to science to have been  discovered in deep ocean waters hundreds of miles off the north west coast of Scotland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday December 27, 2013. See PA story SCIENCE Marine. Photo credit should read: Marine Scotland Science/PA WireNOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.



"Scottish waters cover an area around five times bigger than our land mass and are miles deep in places, and these hidden gems offer a fascinating glimpse of the treasures that still await discovery under the waves."



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