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During our initial observations in NOAA Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, a snail-like foot and no visible shell suggested the sphere might be a pleurobranch sea slug. Upon more well-rounded review by our research partners at Harvard University Museum of Comparative Zoology, it is now thought the orb belongs to another distantly related group of snails--the velutinids. Modern techniques, including microCT scanning and RNA sequencing, are being used to describe this very likely new species of velutinid. ----------------------------------- E/V Nautilus is exploring the ocean studying biology, geology, archeology, and more. Watch for live video from the ocean floor. For live dive updates follow along on social media at and on Twitter. For more photos from our dives, check out our Instagram @nautiluslive.
