Abyssal Eurypterid
Bathygraptus oregonensis
Eukaryota
Animalia
Arthropoda
Chelicerata
Eurypterida
Megalograptidae
Bathygraptus
Carnivore
8
exoskeleton
large, spiny appendages
Earth
Eastern Pacific Ocean
Abyssal Plain
Data Deficient
Sharks, Large Squid, Sperm Whale
Abyssal Trilobite, Sea Cucumbers, small squid, small fish
The Abyssal Eurypterid (Bathygraptus oregonensis) is a species of deep-sea chelicerate native to the abyssal regions of the Northern Pacific, they are most often found off the coasts of British Columbia, Alaska, California, Oregon, the Russian Far East, and Japan.
Description
The Abyssal Eurypterid averages lengths of about 3 feet in length, though in rare cases can exceed 7 feet. They are bright red which helps camoflage them in the deep-ocean where red light cannot penetrate.
Ecology
They are apex predators feeding on any fish or invertebrates they can catch.
Conservation
While not endangered, the Abyssal Eurypterid is threatened by deep-sea trawling and pollution. The Orca Point Aquarium has been working with the species since its discovery in 2017, when 17 living specimens were caught by a shrimp trawler as bycatch, still alive they were shipped off to the aquarium. In March 2020, they bred and produced offspring.