New species of sea snail discovered in Mediterranean Sea
Tiny mollusc uncovered in remote area known as the Skerki Bank
A team of marine biologists from Spain’s Oceanogràfic Foundation, working alongside Italian scientists, has identified a brand new species of sea snail in the Mediterranean Sea. The discovery was made during the “Skerki Mission” expedition, which explored the Skerki Bank — a little-known underwater area located between Sicily and Tunisia.The newly discovered mollusc, named Steromphala federicii, is just a few millimetres long and was found in a shallow underwater cave. It could be unique to this region. What makes this find especially remarkable is that it is the first new species of its genus to be described in the Mediterranean for over 170 years, with the last recorded in 1853.
Andrea Spinelli, a marine biologist from the Oceanogràfic Foundation who led the project, described the find as a major moment for marine science. “The discovery of a new species in the 21st century is proof of how much remains to be learned about our Mediterranean Sea,” he said. “The vast biodiversity in remote areas like Skerki continues to hold invaluable secrets for science and conservation.”
The discovery was made possible through two scientific expeditions carried out in 2023 and 2024, involving experts in marine biology, taxonomy, archaeology, and underwater filmmaking. More than 100 specimens of the new snail were collected and studied in the lab, where researchers confirmed it was a species previously unknown to science.
The scientific description of the snail was a joint effort, with contributions from biologist Ivan Gatí and ecology professor Salvatore Giacobbe from the University of Messina in Italy. Their findings were published in the Biodiversity Journal.
To support ongoing research, the specimens have been deposited in several scientific institutions, including the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Madrid, the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences in Turin, the University of Messina, and the Oceanogràfic Foundation.
Plans are already underway for another expedition later this year, as the team continues to investigate the hidden marine life of the Skerki Bank.
Image: Pia B/Pexels
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