New Publication: Mary Wicksten, A Faunal Inventory of the Methane Seeps on the Pacific Margin of Costa Rica

By: McKensie Le Fevre

Dr. Mary Wicksten, a marine biologist at Texas A&M University, has contributed to a one-of-a-kind study detailing the diverse invertebrate fauna inhabiting methane seeps along the Pacific margin of Costa Rica. Published in ZooKeys (DOI:10.3897/ZooKeys.1222.134385), the research highlights previously undocumented biodiversity, ranging from sponges to ascidians, and includes discoveries of new species.

The study, titled “A Faunal Inventory of the Methane Seeps on the Pacific Margin of Costa Rica,” was conducted by a team of 28 international researchers under the direction of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployed from aboard a research vessel, the team captured high-resolution photographs and videos of marine life in their natural habitats.

The collaborative effort marks a significant advancement in our understanding of methane seep ecosystems. Dr. Wicksten’s contributions focused on crustaceans in the section “Arthropoda/Crustacea/Malacostraca/Eucarida/Decapoda.” Among the fascinating discoveries are species of yeti crabs (Kiwa puravida), squat lobsters associating with soft corals, and shrimp inhabiting glass sponges. Notably, the study captured the first living photographs of two crustacean species, Lebbeus scrippsi and Heteroptychus galapagos, both of which Dr. Wicksten previously co-described with colleagues.

The findings reveal that many species at these methane seeps have wide geographic ranges, extending southward to the Galápagos Islands and northward toward the Gulf of California. Other species, however, appear to be entirely new to science, underscoring the ecological significance of these unique habitats.
The research provides critical insights into the distribution and behaviors of deep-sea fauna, by documenting these ecosystems, researchers contribute to a growing understanding of biodiversity in a rapidly changing ocean. The study exemplifies the power of international collaboration and advanced technology in exploring Earth’s least understood ecosystems.