A research team working near the Charles Darwin Foundation has announced the discovery of a previously unknown octopus species found nearly 1,800 metres beneath the surface of the ocean close to the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador.
The newly identified creature, named Microeledone galapagensis, stands out for its unusually vivid cerulean colouring, a shade considered among the rarest in nature.
The encounter occurred during a deep-sea expedition using a remotely operated submersible. On camera, scientists observed a remarkably small octopus resting on the seafloor, described as being no larger than a golf ball and strikingly blue against the dark ocean environment. During the sighting, one researcher reacted with excitement, exclaiming, “He’s tiny! It’s blue!”
According to findings later published on Monday, the specimen was confirmed as a new species following analysis by octopus specialist Janet Voight. She noted that the discovery immediately stood out due to its unusual characteristics and geographical surprise, explaining, “Right away, I knew it was something really special,” after reviewing initial photographs before examining the preserved sample.
The physical specimen was later sent to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, where Voight expressed her reaction upon receiving it, saying, “When it arrived, I was like ‘Oh! My goodness! It’s beautiful’.” She was particularly intrigued because the closest known relative of this octopus shape is found off the coast of Uruguay, far across the South American continent.
To avoid damaging the only available specimen, researchers did not dissect it in the traditional way used for species classification. Instead, imaging experts at the museum, including lab head Stephanie Smith, employed CT scanning technology to generate detailed 3D reconstructions of the animal’s internal structure. Smith described the experience, stating, “There’s nothing like spending the day looking at something no other human has ever seen.”
Beyond its striking blue exterior, scientists also noted several distinctive anatomical traits. The species appears to be significantly smaller than other members of the Megaleledonidae family, which are typically larger and associated with colder waters near Antarctica. Its short arms, each bearing a single row of suckers, further distinguish it from related octopus species.
Voight also explained that the animal’s coloration is not uniform. While its dorsal surface is light blue, its underside is a deep purple. She suggested this contrasting pattern may serve a survival function, saying, “We think this colour pattern helps keep it safe. If the octopus grabs a prey item that emits light, that light may attract predators that might then eat the octopus,” and added, “So the octopus puts its dark-coloured web over the prey item, keeping itself safe.”
Researchers emphasized that discovering new deep-sea species is not unusual, particularly in regions of the ocean that remain largely unexplored. Voight noted the vastness of these environments, pointing out, “If you took all the land on Earth and pieced it together, you would not cover the Pacific Ocean.”
She also mentioned that her most recent prior octopus discovery occurred in 2023 off the coast of Costa Rica. The first recorded sighting of this newly described species dates back to 2015 near Darwin Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, an area named in honour of the English naturalist whose work in the region contributed to the development of evolutionary theory.
The formal scientific description of Microeledone galapagensis has been published in the journal Zootaxa.
