Scientists have identified a new coral species in Colombia. The discovery was made at a depth of 240 meters, in a marine area known as Bajo Navegador, within the Yurupari – Malpelo Integrated Management District in the Colombian Pacific. The species has been named Distichopora yurupariensis, the first coral of its kind discovered at such depths in the region.
The finding was made possible thanks to a joint expedition between Colombian and international researchers as part of National Geographic Pristine Seas initiative. They used specialized equipment to explore ecosystems that remain little studied due to the challenging conditions of access and the great depths where they are found. The new coral stands out for its unique structural and color characteristics, which allowed scientists to distinguish it from other species previously described in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
New coral species discovered in Colombia’s Pacific
According to National Geographic, Colombian marine scientist Juan Mayorga first assumed he had spotted a common Stylaster coral, recognizable by its pale coloration. However, when marine biologist Luisa Dueñas of the National University of Colombia examined it more closely, they discovered it was in fact an entirely new coral species, never before described by science.
Distichopora yurupariensis was located in Bajo Navegador, a little-explored zone that forms part of the Yurupari – Malpelo Integrated Management District. This underwater region, until now scarcely studied, preserves ecosystems that have remained relatively intact thanks to the difficulty of access and the depths in which they are located.
Researchers believe that, due to these conditions, the new coral may be endemic to the region, meaning it is exclusive to this area. Its discovery not only enriches Colombia’s marine inventory but also highlights the importance of protecting little-known habitats that could harbor unique species for science.
According to experts, this discovery represents a fundamental advance for marine biology and a wake-up call on the need to strengthen the conservation of deep-sea ecosystems. Deep-water corals perform essential ecological functions: they serve as refuges for fish and crustaceans, stabilize seabeds, and participate in the ocean’s biogeochemical cycles.
Nevertheless, Bajo Navegador is not free from threats. Despite its remote location, fishing activity has already begun to affect the area, adding to global risks such as climate change, ocean acidification, and pollution. For this reason, scientists have proposed that Bajo Navegador be incorporated into the Malpelo Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, one of the country’s most important marine reserves, to ensure greater protection for the new coral and other species that inhabit deep waters.
The most common corals in the country
The discovery of Distichopora yurupariensis adds to the wide variety of corals found in Colombian waters. In the Caribbean, where the greatest diversity is concentrated, species such as the brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis), the elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), the staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), as well as star corals (Orbicella spp.), form extensive and colorful reefs.
In the Colombian Pacific, although coral diversity is lower compared to the Caribbean, species such as Porites lobata and Pavona gigantea stand out, adapted to particular conditions such as turbid waters and lower light levels. Now, with the discovery of this new deep-water coral, the country expands its marine wealth and reaffirms its position as one of the world’s megadiverse nations.