In 2023, Breedy and her colleague Jorge Cortés returned to the Las Gemelas site during an expedition that included the Galápagos Islands. This time, they observed an abundance of the vibrant yellow coral and were able to gather additional specimens.
Upon returning to the lab, initial morphological studies revealed physical structures unlike any previously documented coral. To confirm their suspicions, Breedy partnered with researchers Catalina Murillo (UCR) and Catherine McFadden (California) to conduct molecular testing.
When early genetic markers yielded unusual and inconclusive results, Andrea Quattrini of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington stepped in to conduct advanced genetic sequencing. The results confirmed that the organism matched no existing biological classification on either a physical or genetic level.
A Tolkien-Inspired Name for a Unique Species
Because of these fundamental differences, scientists created a new genus and family. The findings were submitted to the peer-reviewed scientific journal Zootaxa, undergoing rigorous peer review and meeting the strict standards of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN).
The final classification details include:
- Species Name: Laurinque elenya
- Genus: Laurinque
- Family: Laurinqueidae
The name holds a special connection to literature: Breedy named the organism using words from Quenya, an Elvish language created by J.R.R. Tolkien for The Lord of the Rings universe.
Why This Discovery Matters for Ocean Conservation
Discovering a brand-new species is rare, but establishing a new family is an exceptional milestone in marine taxonomy. This find underscores the vast mysteries that remain in deep-sea ecosystems and highlights the crucial need for continued marine conservation and exploration around underwater seamounts like Las Gemelas.
