Dark Ophiuroid Biodiversity in a Prospective Abyssal Mine Field (Current Biology)

Christodoulou et al. report unprecedented abyssal phylodiversity of ophiuroids from areas licensed for polymetallic nodule mining exploration in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The new data suggest that this fauna is composed of ancient lineages, some in situ radiations, and representatives of species complexes that occur throughout the abyssal oceans.