科學(xué)家們發(fā)現(xiàn)了一個可愛的怪物

科學(xué)家們發(fā)現(xiàn)了一個可愛的怪物

When they started to film, scientists on the exploration vessel Nautilus could barely contain themselves. Way out in the Pacific Ocean, over 750 metres deep (2,500 feet), their remotely operated vehicle had stumbled upon one of the spookiest creatures they'd ever seen.

當(dāng)他們拍攝海底時，諾第留斯號探測船上的科學(xué)家們幾乎無法控制自己。在太平洋深處750多米(2500英尺)，他們的遙控飛行器偶然發(fā)現(xiàn)了他們所見過的最可怕的生物之一。

At first, as they watched the dancing ghost-like entity, there were only questions: What is that? What are we looking at? What's that red structure inside? What is even going on there? What is it thinking? What are we thinking?

一開始，當(dāng)他們看到這個像鬼一樣跳舞的實體時，只有一個問題：那是什么?我們在看什么?里面的紅色動物是什么?怎么回事?它在想什么?我們在想什么?

Even as they chattered excitedly, the creature changed shape, morphing in and out of recognition, shifting from a floating ghost to a silky scarf.

就在他們興奮地嘰嘰喳喳的時候，這個生物的形狀發(fā)生了變化，一會兒變成了一個漂浮的幽靈，一會兒又變成了一條絲質(zhì)的圍巾。

"I feel like it's expanded since we've been watching it," a voice pointed out.

一個人說:“從我們看到它以后，我感覺它大了。”

With a feverish curiosity, the team at last settled on an answer. The shape-shifter in front of them had to be a deep-sea jellyfish, likely from the genus Deepstaria, a species only seen a handful of times. And this one clearly had a passenger.

帶著狂熱的好奇心，研究小組終于找到了答案。它們眼前的變形者一定是一只深海水母，很可能是深星屬的水母，這種水母只出現(xiàn)過幾次。很明顯這個水袋里有乘客。

An incredible new video, released by the Nautilus expedition, gives us a peek at one of the most mysterious deep-ocean creatures there is - and a glimpse at the bright red crustacean inside of it.

一段由諾第留斯號科考隊發(fā)布的令人難以置信的新視頻，讓我們得以一窺最神秘的深海生物之一——以及它里面鮮紅色的甲殼類動物。

Known as isopods, these red crustaceans are related to deep-sea pillbugs and they've been found in Deepstaria before. The exact relationship between these two creatures is currently unknown, but the isopod is thought to benefit by feeding on the actual jelly or the jellyfish's food. It's probably also a good place to hide from predators.

這些紅色甲殼類動物被稱為等足類動物，它們與深海珍珠貝有親緣關(guān)系，以前在深海中也發(fā)現(xiàn)過。這兩種動物之間的確切關(guān)系目前還不清楚，但等足類動物被認(rèn)為是受益于以水母或水母的食物為食。它可能也是躲避捕食者的好地方。

On the other hand, very little is known about Deepstaria or how it copes with resident isopods. With so few examples to go by, it's unclear what these jellyfish eat, how they eat, how they reproduce, and even how deep in the ocean they can survive.

另一方面，人們對深海生物或其如何應(yīng)對等足類動物知之甚少。由于可供參考的例子如此之少，目前還不清楚這些水母吃什么，它們?nèi)绾芜M(jìn)食，如何繁殖，甚至它們能在海洋深處生存多久。

Unlike other jellyfish, Deepstaria lack stinging tentacles. Instead, scientists think these creatures filter feed by opening and closing their bag-like bells to trap their prey. How they ultimately digest that prey or distribute it to the rest of their body, however, is still up for debate, although there are a few current theories.

與其他水母不同，深海水母沒有帶刺的觸須。相反，科學(xué)家們認(rèn)為，這些動物通過打開和關(guān)閉像鈴鐺一樣的袋子來過濾食物，從而誘捕獵物。然而，它們最終如何消化獵物或?qū)C物分配給身體的其他部分，仍存在爭議，盡管目前有一些理論。

"The geometric mesh pattern is an intricate network of canals that lead back to its stomach at the top of the bell," explains a caption from Nautilus.

諾第留斯號的一段文字解釋道:“這個幾何網(wǎng)格圖案是一個錯綜復(fù)雜的運(yùn)輸網(wǎng)絡(luò)，它通向鐘形結(jié)構(gòu)頂部的胃。”

"As the jelly can reach a large size when inflated, these channels help distribute nutrients across the entire expanse."

“當(dāng)袋子撐開時可以達(dá)到很大的尺寸，這些通道有助于將營養(yǎng)物質(zhì)分布到整個區(qū)域。”

When even the experts are left gobsmacked, you know you're looking at something pretty darn special.

當(dāng)連專家都目瞪口呆的時候，你就知道你看到的是非常特別的東西。