NOAA Identifies Mysterious 'Golden Orb' as Anemone Remnant

In August 2023, during a deep-sea expedition in the Gulf of Alaska, NOAA's remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer encountered a peculiar golden, dome-shaped object attached to a rock at a depth of approximately 3,300 meters. The object, measuring about 10 centimeters in diameter with a small hole near its base, was collected for further study.

Initial analyses were inconclusive, prompting a comprehensive investigation involving morphological studies and advanced DNA sequencing. Scientists determined that the specimen was composed of fibrous material containing spirocysts—specialized stinging cells characteristic of cnidarians, a group that includes corals and anemones.

Further genetic analysis revealed a close match to Relicanthus daphneae, a giant deep-sea anemone. Researchers concluded that the 'golden orb' was a remnant of the anemone's base, which typically anchors the organism to the ocean floor. The main body of the anemone, which can grow up to three feet across with tentacles extending six feet, was absent, suggesting it may have died or relocated.

Allen Collins, director of NOAA Fisheries' National Systematics Laboratory, noted the complexity of the identification process, stating, "This turned into a special case that required focused efforts and expertise of several different individuals."

William Mowitt, acting director of NOAA Ocean Exploration, emphasized the significance of such discoveries, remarking, "So often in deep ocean exploration, we find these captivating mysteries, like the 'golden orb.' With advanced techniques like DNA sequencing, we are able to solve more and more of them."