Discovering Argentina’s Hidden Biodiversity

Samples that inspire

The SOI Underwater Oases of the Mar del Plata Canyon expedition explored the spectacular Brazil–Malvinas Confluence, where warm subtropical waters meet cold, nutrient-rich currents from the south. This oceanographic crossroad creates one of the most biologically productive regions of the South Atlantic, supporting an exceptional diversity of marine life, both known and yet to be discovered.

Aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor (too), scientists explored habitats that had never before been observed in such detail, using ROV SuBastian. The expedition captured international attention and inspired millions across Argentina, offering the Argentine public a rare opportunity to witness the exploration of its deep sea ecosystem in real time.

The collections from these expeditions represent more than a decade of Argentine deep-sea exploration. They provide an unprecedented opportunity to document the country’s extraordinary marine biodiversity and will be the focus of the Ocean Census SOI Species Discovery Workshop. 

Long-term collaboration

Supported through a partnership between Schmidt Ocean Institute and the Ocean Census, and funded by Schmidt Ocean Institute, this workshop includes a team of Argentinian and international researchers from the Ocean Census Science Network. The team is being guided by Dr. Daniel Lauretta, who received an Ocean Census Expedition Award to lead the SOI Underwater Oases of the Mar del Plata Canyon expedition. 

During the next two weeks, the team of researchers will be completely focused on using their regional knowledge and taxonomic expertise to discover new species. This collaborative approach to accelerate marine species discovery can help to build and strengthen scientific networks, provide opportunities for knowledge sharing and for Early Career Researchers (ECRs), and in turn, developing long-term capacity for marine biodiversity research.

Every newly recognised species will be documented using Ocean Census NOVA: the data platform for marine species discovery. High-quality images, specimen information and scientific observations will be openly recorded, creating the foundation for many discoveries to progress towards formal scientific description.

Meet the Experts

This species discovery workshop will feature thirteen exceptional group of scientists from diverse regions and specialisations, including:

• Daniel Lauretta, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales – CONICET
  Research Focus: Cnidaria, Octocoralia
• Francisco Solís-Marín, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Mexico)
  Research Focus: Echinodermata, Holothuroidea
• Ralf Cordeiro, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (Brazil)
  Research Focus: Cnidaria, Octocoralia
• Pablo López-González, Universidad de Sevilla (Spain)
  Research Focus: Cnidaria, Pennatuloidea
• Marcelo Kitahara, University of São Paulo (Brazil)
  Research Focus: Cnidaria, Scleractinia
• Leonardo Chacón, UC-EAP Instituto Monteverde (Costa Rica)
  Research Focus: Echinodermata, Crinoidea
• Leonardo Santos de Souza, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)
  Research Focus: Mollusca, Scaphopoda
• Nancy Mercado Salas, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (Germany)
  Research Focus: Crustacea, Copepoda, Harpacticoida
• Renata Pertossi, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales
  Research Focus: Echinodermata, Crinoidea
• Mariano Martínez, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales-CONICET
  Research Focus: Echinodermata, Holothuroidea
• Jessica Risaro, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales-CONICET
  Research Focus: Cnidaria, Octocoralia, Pennatuloidea
• Rodrigo Calderón, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales-CONICET
  Research Focus: Cnidaria, Scleractinia
• Emanuel Pereira, Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA)
  Research Focus: Crustacea, Copepoda, Harpacticoida