Overview
- NOAA and Smithsonian researchers said Wednesday the orb is the detached base of Relicanthus daphneae, a rarely seen giant deep‑sea anemone.
- The dome‑shaped object, about 10 centimeters across with a small hole, was found in August 2023 at roughly 3,250 meters in the Gulf of Alaska and collected by the ROV Deep Discoverer from NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.
- Microscope work showed fibrous layers packed with stinging cells called spirocysts, which occur only in Hexacorallia such as anemones and corals.
- Early DNA barcoding failed, likely due to heavy microbial contamination, but whole‑genome and mitochondrial sequencing matched the species reference for Relicanthus daphneae.
- Scientists still do not know how the base separated, with ideas ranging from the anemone’s death or movement to incomplete asexual reproduction, and a bioRxiv preprint and an April 30 NOAA webinar will share more details.