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Chile may be known for its above-ground mountains, but its underwater mountains are no less impressive, as discovered by a recent expedition. An international team of scientists working as part of a recent Schmidt Ocean Institute expedition have discovered over 100 weird and wacky new species living on these seamounts (underwater mountains) just off the Chilean coast. The team used a drone to dive below the surface to map this range of seamounts – the Nazca and Salas y Gómez Ridge – and the odd creatures clinging to them. Squat lobsters, sponge gardens, adorable octopodes (no, not octopi, it comes from Greek not Latin you plebs), strange sea toads (which despite their name are fish… with legs) and spectacular spiraling corals were just some of the baffling creatures found along the range which stretches all the way to Easter Island. ‘You always expect to find new species in these remote and poorly explored areas, but the amount we found, especially for some groups like sponges, is mind-blowing,’ said project leader Dr. Javier Sellanes.
