Observation of a rare jellyfish leads to the first scientific paper by the Viking expedition team.
Cruise line Viking has published its first scientific paper following observations of a rare jellyfish: Stygiomedusa gigantea, known as the giant phantom jellyfish, has been encountered during submersible dives in the coastal waters of the Antarctic Peninsula in early 2022. Only 126 encounters with the giant phantom jellyfish have been recorded since the species was first described in 1910, despite its size of up to 30 feet (10 metres) in length.
During 2022, direct observations of the jellyfish were made three times from submersibles deployed from the cruise line’s expedition vessel, Viking Octantis, and documented through stills and video photography. The scientific paper describes for the first time how personal submersibles can be vessels of opportunity for biological research in polar regions, and allow the science community to access under-explored waters. Two of the company´s chief scientists have authored it with contributions from the submersible teams. The paper also notes the potential to gather guest-derived data from submersible dives.
“It is extraordinary that we know so little about such large marine creatures as the giant phantom jellyfish; however, now we have the means to make regular observations at greater depths than previously possible, which provides an exciting opportunity for discovery,” said lead author Dr Daniel Moore. The article is published in Polar Research, the Norwegian Polar Institute scientific journal.
Viking has formed partnerships with academic institutions such as The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Norwegian Polar Institute, and Fjord Phyto, among others. During each of the company´s expeditions, visiting researchers from partner institutions are part of the 36-person Viking Expedition Team, with guests participating in natural science.
In April last year, the cruise line announced a strengthening of its partnership with the University of Cambridge, establishing a new Professorship aimed at advancing research in polar environmental science. This new post enables the development of new lines of research into the behaviour of polar environments, including polar ice sheets, sea ice and ocean circulation.
Viking Expeditions began sailing in January 2022, with its first vessel embarking on voyages to Antarctica and North America´s Great Lakes.
