33. The Deep-Sea Dumpling Starfish (Astropecten sp.)
The recently discovered Deep-Sea Dumpling Starfish boasts a squat, rounded body that sets it apart from typical starfish. Its unusual, almost rolling mode of locomotion has been observed at extreme abyssal depths, revealing new possibilities for starfish adaptation. This quirky echinoderm adds yet another layer to the complexity of life in the ocean’s darkest reaches. Find more about this fascinating species at Deep Sea Research.