Submersible Video from Bonaire

We recently finished editing two videos from our trip to Bonaire, including two comical chases with an armored sea robin, Peristedion brevirostre, and a batfish, Ogcocephalus corniger.  Have a look and a laugh, and let us know what you think.

The University of Washington and Burke Museum teamed up with the Smithsonian in January 2017 for a submersible-diving expedition to Bonaire aboard the RV Chapman. This video taken, from the Curasub manned submersible, shows footage from several important habitats, including mesophotic coral reefs, rhodolith beds, and a large limestone pinnacle representing a relic reef from previous glacial period.

The Smithsonian Deep Reef Observation Project teamed up with the University of Washington and the Burke Museum to explore deep reefs of Bonaire using the manned submersible Curasub. This quick video is showing a wild chase between the submarine and an armored searobin, Peristedion brevirostre.

Submersible-diving expedition to Bonaire!

The Fish Systematics and Evolution lab just returned from a six day expedition to Bonaire, where we explored deep reefs using the manned submeresible Curasub (www.substation-curacao.com). The trip was the first of many joint expeditions between UW-SAFS and the Smithsonian Institution.  

There were so many incredible highlights from this trip! There were at least three new species of fishes discovered from reefs between 450-600 ft.  We also collected many specimens of species that were previously known only from single locations, or in one case (Psilotris laurae), only from a single specimen found inside a gin bottle!  

Overall, we collected over 1000 specimens of fishes and inverts from 11 submersible dives, plus nearly 50 hours of high-def video.  The deep reefs of Bonaire were unique from those of nearby Curaçao, both in appearance and in their diversity. Many species present in Bonaire have not been observed in Curacao, and vice versa.  But why?! What is the extent of genetic and demographic connectivity between nearby deep reefs?  Do deep reefs harbor more endemic species than shallow reefs?  

Carole Baldwin (Smithsonian) and Katherine Maslenikov (UW) photograph and tissue sample the catch. 

Photo by Barry B. Brown. 

Luke readying for a dive. 

Photo by Barry B. Brown.

Katherine's first trip in the Curasub!

Photo by Barry B. Brown. 

Psilotris laurae, only the second known specimen, and the first one observed in its natural habitat.  
Photo by Barry B. Brown. 

Luke arrives at UW.

The Fish Evolution and Biodiversity lab has formally kicked off, with the arrival of UW/Burke Ichthyology Curator Luke Tornabene in Seattle.  Stay tuned for future research updates, including our upcoming submersible-diving trip to Bonaire!