Two New Deep-Sea Siphonophore Species | Jellyfish Museum

Two New Siphonophore Species Reveal Hidden Ocean Diversity

Two newly described siphonophores are adding to our picture of life in the deep ocean. In an October 22, 2026 announcement, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute highlighted Bargmannia marlena and Bargmannia pyrosa, identified through research published online on October 16 in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.

What is a siphonophore

Siphonophores are gelatinous relatives of jellyfish and corals. Their bodies consist of connected, specialized units that work together. In Bargmannia, rows of swimming bells propel the animal through open water.

These discoveries extend our understanding of gelatinous marine life beyond the familiar bell-shaped jellyfish often seen in aquariums.

How the team identified the new species

Researchers combined anatomical comparisons, genetic sequencing, museum specimens and observations made with underwater robots. MBARI describes B. marlena as having stretchy orange stomachs and B. pyrosa as having a fiery red body.

The investigation considered eight Bargmannia species: seven identified in MBARI’s video archive and another represented in museum collections. Genetic analyses recovered two major evolutionary lineages. MBARI announcement.

Why ocean depth matters

Although the species’ geographic ranges overlap, their distributions differ with depth. The researchers interpret this pattern as evidence that different vertical habitats help shape diversity in the open ocean. Research paper.

A useful way to picture the finding is to imagine a map that includes the water beneath the surface. Two animals can inhabit the same stretch of ocean while occupying different layers. A surface map alone would hide part of that relationship.

The study also shows why an unfamiliar animal in a video is only the beginning of a discovery. Establishing a species requires comparison and evidence. Historical collections and modern observation tools can each contribute something the other cannot provide.

Keep exploring the diversity of jellyfish and their ocean relatives with Jellyfish Museum in Pompano Beach.