Scientists Discover Entirely New Coral Family in Costa Rican Deep Ocean

A Remarkable Discovery in the Abyss

Researchers exploring underwater mountains off Costa Rica have identified a striking coral species so genetically and physically distinct that it warranted the creation of an entirely new coral family. The bright yellow coral, with its branching tree-like structure, was found at depths between 360 and 529 meters below the Pacific Ocean's surface during expeditions in 2019 and 2023. The discovery was made using the remotely operated vehicle SuBastian aboard research vessels operated by the Schmidt Ocean Institute. Some colonies of the new species grow over a meter tall, creating remarkable gardens on rocky outcrops along Costa Rica's Pacific margin and near Isla del Coco seamounts.

An Elvish Landscape Under the Sea

The coral's extraordinary setting inspired its scientific nomenclature. The species was found thriving among dense populations of brittle stars, which covered nearly every available surface on the seafloor. Against this shimmering backdrop of thousands of star-like creatures, the luminous yellow branches appeared to glow like trees in an otherworldly landscape. This visual inspired researchers to draw from Quenya, the fictional Elvish language created by J.R.R. Tolkien for The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. The new genus was named Laurinque, derived from "Laurinquë," meaning "golden tree," reflecting both the coral's vivid coloration and branching morphology. The species name, elenya, translates to "stellar" or "of the stars," capturing the ethereal scene of coral surrounded by brittle stars.

Genetic Puzzle Requires Innovative Classification

Classifying the coral proved far more complex than anticipated. When researchers sequenced three genes commonly used to identify coral species, each gene pointed to a different and unrelated family—an unusual result that warranted deeper investigation. To resolve this genetic inconsistency, scientists employed phylogenomics, a methodology comparing hundreds of genes simultaneously rather than just a select few. This comprehensive genetic analysis finally resolved the coral's evolutionary position. The results demonstrated that the species does not belong to any previously recognized coral family, representing instead a distinct evolutionary lineage most closely related to Eunicellidae but differing sufficiently in both genetics and anatomy to justify creating an entirely new family classification called Laurinqueidae.

Deep Ocean Biodiversity and Conservation Implications

Dr. Odalisca Breedy of the Universidad de Costa Rica led the international research team. Reflecting on the discovery, she noted that upon first encountering the octocoral garden in 2019, she was captivated by its beauty and initially believed the species might belong to a known family. However, preliminary morphological analysis revealed something distinctly different that could not be matched to existing taxa. Additional specimen collection in 2023 and exhaustive molecular analyses by colleagues finally enabled the team to determine the species' taxonomic placement. The find contributes to a growing catalog of previously undocumented species discovered on Costa Rica's seamounts, underscoring how much of the deep ocean—covering roughly two-thirds of Earth's surface—remains poorly understood. Coral gardens like this one are recognized as vulnerable marine ecosystems whose complex three-dimensional structures provide critical habitat for numerous deep-sea organisms, making them significant centers of biodiversity in largely unexplored environments. The research was supported by the Schmidt Ocean Institute and a National Geographic Society research grant.