Scientists have discovered 12 new species from the lowest depths of the Atlantic.
Researchers say the sea mosses, molluscs and corals have not been identified before as much of the seabed has not yet been surveyed.
The species lives up to 400 meters below the surface of the oceans on black corals.
The team from the EU-funded Atlas Project said they found dozens of species in areas where their presence was previously unknown.
But the new findings could be threatened by climate change.
As more carbon dioxide is absorbed by the planet’s oceans – the waters become more acidic, threatening the habitats of the species.
Professor Murray Roberts from the University of Edinburgh, who led the project, told Euronews that these creatures are associated with deep-water corals and also sponge land. These are very critical habitats in the deep ocean.
“Cities are the deep sea. These places are very important. And as we see the oceans getting warmer, more acidic and in some places losing vital oxygen in your life, those places are at the very beginning of those changes. “
Dr Roberts said it was vital that these habitats were protected.
Watch an interview with Professor Roberts in the video player above.