Flamboyant Squidworm Feasts on Sea Cucumber
While exploring the abyssal plain in international waters south of the Hawaiian Islands and east of Johnson Atoll, our Corps of Exploration came across something very interesting. At over 5,600 meters (18,300 feet) deep, we spotted a flamboyant squidworm floating through the water, carrying what looks like a piece of sea cucumber. Our team speculates that the polychaete may have been preying on the remains for this holothurian.
This worm, Teuthidodrilus samae, is a segmented worm in the phylum Annelida. Much like on land, ocean worms play an important role in ecosystems as detritivores and recyclers, digesting dead animals on the seafloor. Bristleworms always inspire our team with their iridescent paddles, called notopodia, making snack time sparkling.
Ocean Exploration Trust's NA182 Exploration of the Hawaiian Islands is funded by NOAA Ocean Exploration via the NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute.
Deep-Sea Habitats of the Hawaiian Archipelago
Our final OECI-sponsored expedition of 2026 brings E/V Nautilus back to the Hawaiian Islands. While nearshore waters surrounding the islands have been relatively well surveyed, many offshore areas remain completely unexplored, hindering efforts to effectively manage the resources of this unique region.
