Thread by @weatherindia

#EcoTrends: Scientists Capture Rare Footage of ‘See-Through’ #GlassOctopus with Transparent Body

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(📸: The Schmidt Ocean Institute)

Now, in a stunning capture, ocean scientists have recorded video footage of a creature that would put even the most deceitful of creatures to shame: an almost-invisible, eight-legged glass octopus!

This elusive organism, similar to glass frogs or comb jellies, is completely transparent. The only features that can be seen are its cylindrical eyes, optic nerve, and digestive tract.

The ethereal octopus, which resides in the deep isolated waters of the Central Pacific Ocean, was spotted by an underwater robot during a 34-day expedition.

It was part of a study conducted by a team of scientists from the Schmidt Ocean Institute off the remote Phoenix Islands, which ended on July 8.

The team onboard research vessel Falkor captured two rare sightings of this eight-legged wonder—an impressive feat considering the very limited footage we possess.

In fact, until now, most scientists have studied these creatures through the specimens collected from the gut contents of predators.

Scientifically known as Vitreledonella richardi, the glass octopus belongs to the class of cephalopods—members of the molluscan class.

Marine biologists got to know about the existence of glass octopuses only after 1918, but even now not much is known about these mysterious creatures as they are extremely hard to catch.

They often thrive in the tropical and subtropical areas near the twilight zone—about 656 to 3,280 feet deep in the oceans. Sometimes, they are also spotted in the midnight zone or bathypelagic, about 3,280 to 9,800 feet below the surface.

A see-through octopus was something people believed existed only in the science fiction world. But as soon as this stunning video surfaced online, netizens were left awestruck and mesmerised by the sheer beauty of this unique sea creature.