Scientists Discovered New Bubblegum Coral Species
Researchers identified a unique coral along the Nazca Ridge that utilizes a biological chitin scaffold for structural support.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Botany
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Scientists have discovered a new bubblegum coral species, named Paragorgia quitinosa, living nearly 2,200 feet deep in the Pacific Ocean. The organism maintains its shape in strong deep-water currents by utilizing an internal chitin framework.
Why it matters
The discovery reveals a unique biological adaptation where coral maintains structural integrity through internal fluid pressure and chitin walls rather than relying solely on traditional external skeletons. This mechanism allows the species to remain perpendicular to the seafloor in high-current deep-water environments.
Researchers used the remotely operated vehicle SuBastian to collect specimens at a depth of 2,200 feet. Chemical analysis and spectroscopy confirmed the structural canal walls are composed of beta-chitin.
The players
SuBastian
This remotely operated vehicle is a specialized deep-sea research robot used to collect biological specimens from extreme depths.
The details
The coral species uses siphonozoid polyps to force seawater through an internal network of canals, creating the pressure necessary to hold its shape. Calcified sclerites provide additional localized stiffness to support this water-filled framework.
Timeline
The scientific study regarding Paragorgia quitinosa was published in 2026.
The Big Picture
This discovery shifts the understanding of coral physiology by proving that structural rigidity can be achieved through fluid-supported chitin scaffolds rather than relying exclusively on mineralized skeletal growth. This finding opens new research avenues into how deep-sea organisms evolve to thrive in extreme pressure zones.
The identification of beta-chitin as a structural material in deep-sea organisms could influence future developments in bio-inspired engineering and the creation of flexible, high-strength materials. These insights into marine structural support may eventually inform new methods for developing durable, pressure-resistant synthetic scaffolds.
The takeaway
This study highlights the incredible adaptability of life in the deep ocean, where creatures utilize fluid mechanics to survive harsh conditions. Understanding these natural biological frameworks provides a blueprint for how complex structural integrity can be maintained without rigid, mineralized bones.
Further reading
For more on recent discoveries in plant and coral biology, visit the Botany section.
More information
Access the complete full scientific research study for technical details on the discovery.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ecoportal.
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