Golden Orb Off Alaska Coast Identified as Giant Anemone Skin

The strange golden orb found off Alaska has been identified as the shed skin of a giant anemone. This is different from what scientists first thought it might be.
By Newsroom | Science, Environment |

Deep-Sea Find Yields Clues to Enigmatic Creature

The baffling "golden orb" discovered submerged off Alaska's coast, a puzzle for scientists since its 2023 retrieval, has been definitively identified. It represents the shed cuticle—a protective outer layer—of a Relicanthus daphneae, a species of giant deep-sea anemone. This revelation, achieved through detailed cellular and genetic analysis, brings a curious chapter of marine exploration to a close, though the precise nature of the anemone itself remains largely unseen and subject to ongoing inquiry.

NOAA 'Golden Orb' Identified as Part of the Base of a Giant Sea Anemone—But the Missing Creature Deepens the Mystery - 1

The sample, cataloged as USNMIZ1699903, was initially collected during a NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer expedition using a remotely operated vehicle named Deep Discoverer. The shimmering, orb-shaped mass, found adhered to a rock at a depth of over 3,250 meters (more than two miles), confounded researchers due to its lack of readily apparent animalistic features. Initial theories ranged from egg cases to unknown organisms.

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NOAA 'Golden Orb' Identified as Part of the Base of a Giant Sea Anemone—But the Missing Creature Deepens the Mystery - 2

Further investigation at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History involved meticulous study of the orb's physical structure. Key to the identification were specialized cells known as spirocysts, a hallmark of aquatic invertebrates called cnidarians, which are utilized for capturing prey. Whole-genome sequencing provided critical supporting evidence, revealing a significant amount of genetic material consistent with deep-sea anemones.

NOAA 'Golden Orb' Identified as Part of the Base of a Giant Sea Anemone—But the Missing Creature Deepens the Mystery - 3

The Missing Creature and Lingering Questions

While the orb’s identity as a Relicanthus daphneae cuticle has been established, the creature itself remains elusive. This particular species of anemone is characterized by a cylindrical, pink body that can extend up to three feet in diameter, and tentacles that may reach lengths exceeding two meters.

NOAA 'Golden Orb' Identified as Part of the Base of a Giant Sea Anemone—But the Missing Creature Deepens the Mystery - 4

"Scientists aboard the NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer came across the mass while observing a live feed as they controlled the remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer. Tightly adhered to a rock was an orb-shaped mass of golden material that shimmered in the bright lights of the ROV Deep Discoverer, appearing to be something no one had ever seen before."

The anemone's ability to shed its cuticle might explain why the orb was found detached. This biological mechanism allows the creature to shed this outer layer, potentially as it grows or moves. However, the expedition primarily documented the orb, leaving the full scope and behavior of the adult Relicanthus daphneae in this specific deep-sea environment as a subject for future investigation. The specimen is now publicly accessible within the Smithsonian's Invertebrate Zoology Collection.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the "golden orb" found off Alaska?
The "golden orb" found off Alaska in 2023 has been identified as the shed outer skin, called a cuticle, of a giant deep-sea anemone called Relicanthus daphneae.
Q: How did scientists figure out what the orb was?
Scientists studied the orb's cells, finding special cells used by sea creatures called cnidarians, and also did genetic tests that matched it to deep-sea anemones.
Q: Where was the golden orb found and when?
The golden orb was found stuck to a rock at a depth of over 3,250 meters (more than two miles) off the coast of Alaska during a NOAA expedition in 2023.
Q: What does the anemone itself look like?
The Relicanthus daphneae anemone is described as having a pink body that can be up to three feet wide and tentacles that can be over two meters long, but the actual creature has not been seen.
Q: What happens next with this discovery?
The shed skin is now part of the Smithsonian's collection for people to see. Scientists want to study this type of anemone more in its deep-sea home to learn about its behavior.