Marine Census release photos of new Deep Sea Species

These photos were published by National Geographics on Nov. 10, 2008 - they are the findings of the Marine Census.  The Marine Census is a 10 year project by marine biologist from over 80 countries that will attempt to catalog and understand ocean life (and hoping to document 95% of Earth's ocean by 2010). Here are a few of their findings, these new deep-sea marine species are the freaky version of their shallow water cousins :

• Blind Lobster - (rare genus -- Thaumastochelopsis). They believe the exaggerated claw is used to defend itself from other crustaceans.

  
   
    

• Kelp (Aureophycus aleuticus) - this was discovered near Alaska's Aleutian Islands - Thats the nicest color kelp I've ever seen!

  
   
   

• Shrimp and Parasitic Worm (yellow thing on the shrimp) found near Cape Town, South Africa.

  
   
   

• Amphipods (Ampelisca mississippiana) - Found 1500 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico.

  
   
   

• Squat Lobster found off the southwestern coast of Australia.

  
   
   

• Pebble Crab also found on the southwestern coast of Australia.

  
   
   

• Jellyfish found near Ryukyu trench near Japan. This species was found at 23,678 feet (7217 meters) deep! Up until now, scientist didn't think anything lived that deep.

  
   
   

• Marine Bacteria - these living fossils have been around for millions of years! This species was found in the South Pacific Ocean.
  
  
  
   
   
• 11-Armed Brisingid Asteroid Filter Feeder - Try saying that a bunch of times! This species was found ina canyon off the coast of Portugal.

  
   
   

• Giant Mollusk (Cheatoderma felderi) - this species can grow up to 16 inches- found in the deep water off of Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico.