A new species of coral has been discovered in waters off the coast of Scotland, with scientists predicting it could be a gamechanger for deep-sea biodiversity.
Scientists from the Scottish Government teamed up with researchers from the University of Seville, Spain, for an almost decade-long assignment to learn more about the murky, rarely-traversed deeper depths of the ocean off the Scottish coast.
The team collected multiple specimens from the continental slopes and plains of the Rockall Trough, off the west coast, travelling to depths of 2000 metres.