HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A new species of deep-sea coral was discovered a team of researchers, including an expert from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Scientists named the species Chewbacca coral, or Iridogorgia chewbacca, after the furry character in the “Star Wars” movies.
It got the name because of its long, flexible branches, which researchers said looked “hairy,” and its upright, standing appearance.
The coral species was first seen in waters off Molokai back in 2006 and again near the Mariana Trench in 2016.
Les Watling, a professor emeritus in UH Manoa’s School of Life Sciences, recognized the coral while reviewing research from colleagues in China.
“Seeing this coral for the first time was unforgettable,” Watling said. “Its long, flexible branches and shape immediately reminded me of Chewbacca. Even after years of deep-sea work, discoveries like this still make me stop and take notice.”
Watling co-authored the study, which was published in Zootaxa, a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
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