New deep-sea coral named after Chewbacca
Iridogorgia chewbacca, a hairlike deep-sea species found in the western Pacific, formalized after genetic analysis and inspired by a Star Wars character.
A new deep-sea coral species has been named Iridogorgia chewbacca after the Star Wars character Chewbacca, reflecting its long, flexible, furry-looking branches and a shiny surface discovered in the tropical western Pacific.
Researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa and collaborators formally described the species in a peer-reviewed study published in Zootaxa. The coral’s nickname stems from its appearance, not from any fictional linkage. Les Watling, professor emeritus at UH Mānoa’s School of Life Sciences and a co-author of the study, recognized the coral while reviewing research from colleagues in China. "Seeing this coral for the first time was unforgettable," he 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." Genetic analysis helped confirm that Iridogorgia chewbacca is a distinct species, and the finding adds to knowledge of biodiversity in the deep Pacific.
The coral was first observed in 2006, but it was not described as a separate species at that time. Only after additional sampling and genetic work did scientists formally recognise it. The discovery demonstrates that even long-studied regions of the Pacific remain to yield new discoveries about deep-sea life.
Experts say the study underscores the richness of deep-sea ecosystems and the importance of continued exploration and taxonomic work. The researchers collaborated with colleagues from China and drew on data from NOAA expeditions to confirm the specimen’s uniqueness. The Zootaxa description contributes to the catalog of species in the western Pacific and highlights how modern genetics can reveal distinctions that morphology alone might overlook.
