Deep sea expedition uncovers more than 50 never-before-seen species off the coast of Chile - from a 'flying spaghetti monster' to a glow-in-the-dark dragonfish

Glow-in-the-dark dragonfish and flying spaghetti monsters may seem better suited to fantasy than science.

But these are just some of the 50 never-before-seen species discovered during an expedition off the coast of Chile.

An international team of scientists mapped 30,115 square miles (78,000 square km) of seafloor along the Salas y Gómez Ridge near Rapa Nui, also called Easter Island.

Along this 1,800-mile (2,900km) ocean mountain range the researchers observed 160 species - almost a third of which were new to science. 

Dr Javier Sellanes of the Universidad Católica del Norte, said: 'The astonishing habitats and animal communities that we have unveiled during these two expeditions constitute a dramatic example of how little we know about this remote area.'

Researchers have found a 'Flying Spaghetti Monster' (pictured) among 160 other species in an expedition along the Salas y Gómez Ridge near Rapa Nui 

The Bathyphysa siphonophore was named after the Flying Spaghetti Monster (pictured) by the oil rig workers who first found one due to its many tentacles 

Salas y Gómez Ridge stretches from the island of Rapa Nui in the Pacific Ocean to just off the coast of Chile.

This ridge consists of 110 seamounts - underwater mountains that are particularly rich in sea life. 

This area supports distinct ecosystems such as glass sponge gardens and deep coral reefs as well as supporting the migrations of animals like whales, sea turtles, and sharks.  

The 40-day expedition surveyed 10 seamounts and two islands. 

The team's goal was to gather data about Salas y Gómez Ridge as part of an application for high-seas protected area designation under the UN High Seas Treaty.

This follows the researchers' previous expedition to the nearby Nazca and Juan Fernandez Ridge which found more than 100 suspected new species. 

The Salas y Gómez Ridge is a 1,800-mile (2,900km) ocean mountain range which stretches from Rapa Nui, also called Easter Island, towards the coast of Chile 

The researchers mapped 10 of the 110 seamounts - underwater mountains that make up the ridge 

Their discoveries revealed a wide range of unique species such as as this diadem sea urchin

Some parts of the ridge that sit within Chile's territory are already protected, but many of the seamounts sit in international waters and are unprotected.  

Dr Sellanes said: 'These expeditions will help alert decision-makers about the ecological importance of the areas and contribute to strengthening protection strategies within and beyond jurisdictional waters.' 

The species in need of protection include the Bathyphysa siphonophore - a particularly strange creature often called the 'flying spaghetti monster' due to its many tentacles.

Siphonophores, a family of animals including the Portuguese Man O' War, are gelatinous drifters made up of thousands of specialised parts. 

While these alien-like creature look like one animal, they are actually colonies of individual organisms that all perform different tasks. 

The researchers also found a Galaxy Siphonophore, a relative of the flying spaghetti monster, which uses its web of tentacles to catch fish, plankton, and small crustaceans.  

Siphonophores like this Galaxy Siphonophore (pictured) are colonies of highly specialised organisms which work together to form massive animals 

The researchers used a remotely operated vehicle called SuBastian to study the complex ecosystems that exist in this region of the Pacific 

Another incredible animal found by the researchers was the deep-sea dragonfish. 

These undersea apex predators are known for their enormous jaws and terrifying teeth which they use to snag prey.

This particular fish also demonstrated a stunning example of bioluminescence.

Down around 5,000 ft (1,500m) where the dragonfish make their home, almost no light from the sun can penetrate.

This means that many creatures in the so-called 'bathypelagic zone' produce their own light through chemical processes.

Some use this light to communicate and find mates, while others like the dragonfish use their lights to lure in unsuspecting prey. 

Researchers also discovered a glow-in-the-dark deep-sea dragonfish (pictured), a fierce apex predator which lives beyond the sun's light 

Many creatures like this coronaster starfish make the rocky walls of the seamounts their home due to the upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water 

The scientists found the deepest-known photosynthesis-dependant animal, the Leptoseris, commonly known as a wrinkle coral (pictured) 

Alongside these incredible species, the researchers also found large octopi, squat lobsters, starfish and even the world's deepest photosynthesis-dependant coral.

This vast variety of life is made possible by the seamounts themselves which form islands of biodiversity in the depths of the ocean.

When these underwater mountains are hit by fast currents, they act like a rock in a stream, forcing the water to flow up and around them.

This causes cold, nutrient-rich water from the ocean floor to rise up towards the surface and fuels an explosion of life.

Current also washes away sand from the rockface, creating a surface that stationary creatures like anemones and coral can anchor themselves to. 

The Salas y Gómez Ridge is under consideration for a high-seas protected area designation due to its high biodiversity 

Some parts of the ridge are protected by Chile's jurisdiction but others like this coral garden are in international waters and are unprotected 

The researchers hope their findings will make a case to protect the Salas y Gómez Ridge and its wildlife, to ensure that creatures like this hydroid are not lost 

The researchers say these factors make each of the ridge's 110 seamounts a distinct and valuable environment. 

Chief Scientist, Dr Erin Easton of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, said: 'The observation of distinct ecosystems on individual seamounts highlights the importance of protecting the entire ridge, not just a few seamounts.'

While the Salas y Gómez Ridge is currently under consideration to become a protected area, this change is not yet enforceable under international law. 

Today, 83 countries including the US, Australia, and UK have signed the UN High Seas Treaty, however, only Chile and Palau have ratified the treaty.

Only once 60 countries have joined them will countries be able to establish marine protected areas in international waters with sufficient scientific data. 

The researchers hope their efforts will build a case to protect the ridge if the law does become ratified.  

Dr Easton adds: 'These expeditions will help alert decision-makers about the ecological importance of the areas and contribute to strengthening protection strategies within and beyond jurisdictional waters.'