Scientists Discover New Deep-Sea Coral Species Named After ‘Star Wars’ Hero
A global team of marine scientists has made an exciting discovery deep beneath the ocean surface — they identified a previously unknown species of coral that has been officially named Iridogorgia chewbacca.
This extraordinary marine organism caught the attention of researchers with its long, flexible branches resembling the fuzzy fur of the beloved ‘Star Wars’ character Chewbacca.
The first specimen was found off the coast of Hawaii in 2006, and a second was documented near the Mariana Trench in 2016.
The Hawaiian sample measured around 1.2 meters in height, while the one found in the western Pacific Ocean was approximately 50 centimeters long.
The coral’s branches can reach up to 38 centimeters in length.
According to co-author Les Walting from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the first encounter was unforgettable: “The long, flexible branches immediately reminded me of Chewbacca.
Even after many years of research, discoveries like this make us pause and examine every tiny detail.” This species belongs to the genus Iridogorgia, known for deep-sea corals with spiral-shaped structures.
Its characteristic shiny surface and ‘hairy’ appearance make it particularly unique.
The research team also discovered another new species, Iridogorgia curva, bringing the total known members of this genus in the western Pacific to ten.
Like all corals, Iridogorgia consists of colonies of thousands of tiny polyps forming a single structure.
Unlike some other varieties that grow in groups, I.
chewbacca is usually found solitary on rocky ocean floors at depths exceeding 3000 meters.
Recently, scientists identified three new species of sea slugs in the ocean depths, notably Bumpi — a charming creature with bulging eyes and a ‘smiling’ face reminiscent of a tadpole.
These species were found off the coast of California at depths over 3000 meters, highlighting the incredible diversity of life in the deepest parts of our oceans.