A new coral species, Iridogorgia chewbacca, with long, flexible branches and a shiny surface, has been discovered off Hawaii and in the Mariana Trench, the deepest known point in the Pacific Ocean.
The species was named for its resemblance to Chewbacca, the fictional character from the Star Wars movie franchise, whose tall, furry and solitary appearance reminded researchers of the coral’s unique form.
Belonging to the genus Iridogorgia, deep-sea corals with spiral, elongated structures, the new species was first observed near Molokai, Hawaii, in 2006 and later near the Mariana Trench in 2016. The Molokai specimen measures about 1.2 meters tall, while the Mariana Trench specimen reaches 50 centimeters. In both locations, the branches are flexible and can grow up to 38 centimeters long.
Prof. Les Watling, a biologist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and co-author of the study published in Zootaxa, identified the coral after reviewing research from colleagues in China. His prior work in Hawaiian waters and collaborations with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed it as a new species. “Seeing this coral for the first time was unforgettable,” Watling said. “Its long, flexible branches immediately reminded me of Chewbacca. Even after years of deep-sea research, discoveries like this are still thrilling.”
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Close-up of the new coral species Iridogorgia chewbacca, showing polyps on its branches
(Photo: University of Hawaii at Manoa)
Researchers used both physical traits and genetic analysis to describe Iridogorgia chewbacca and another new species, Iridogorgia curva, documenting other known species in the western Pacific as well. Their findings indicate a high diversity of Iridogorgia corals in the region, with 10 species recorded in tropical waters of the western Pacific.
Each coral colony is composed of thousands of tiny polyps, cylindrical animals with a mouth and tentacles covered in stinging cells. Polyps attach to hard surfaces with a basal “foot” and cluster to form colonies, creating the calcium skeletons that build coral reefs. Tiny algae living within polyp tissues provide energy through photosynthesis, influencing the coral’s coloration. Unlike many corals, Iridogorgia chewbacca is typically solitary, growing on rocky ocean floors.
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Molokai Island, Hawaii, where the new coral species Iridogorgia chewbacca was first discovered in 2006
(Photo: Hugh E. Gentry/AP)