Our on-shore science team was not able to identify this dark red stalked crinoid, seen during Dive 04 of the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition at 2,260 meters (7,415 feet) depth. The crinoid was thus collected as the final sample of the dive. Unlike more traditional sampling operations, during expeditions on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, we collect only a limited number of samples. Samples are collected if they can tell us something new (for example a new species or range extension of a species) or if they enable a broad characterization of physical, chemical, geological, and biological environments in areas of interest.
Unidentified Crinoid
Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones: New England and Corner Rise Seamounts. Download larger version (jpg, 1.2 MB).

Our on-shore science team was not able to identify this dark red stalked crinoid, seen during Dive 04 of the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition at 2,260 meters (7,415 feet) depth. The crinoid was thus collected as the final sample of the dive. Unlike more traditional sampling operations, during expeditions on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, we collect only a limited number of samples. Samples are collected if they can tell us something new (for example a new species or range extension of a species) or if they enable a broad characterization of physical, chemical, geological, and biological environments in areas of interest.

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