This unidentified purple orb, stumped the scientists onboard E/V Nautilus, exploring the ocean…
After sampling, it began to unfold to reveal two distinct lobes.
UPDATE: We’re still working on a species ID with our science partners, but currently we’re thinking the purple orb is a pleurobranch, a nudibranch relative. Both are types of sea slugs, like this one: http://nautl.us/2arhstb
It could possibly take years for scientists to definitively determine whether it’s a newly discovered species!
Watch http://www.nautiluslive.org for live video from the ocean floor. For live dive updates follow along on social media at http://www.facebook.com/nautiluslive and http://www.twitter.com/evnautilus on Twitter.
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