Scientists discover 'Chewbacca,' a new species of coral they compare to the 'Star Wars' character.
A new species identified in the depths of the ocean has sparked interest among both the scientific community and fans of the space saga.
This is Iridogorgia chewbacca , a coral named after the Star Wars character Chewbacca, due to its elongated, flexible, fur-like appearance.
The discovery was published in the journal Zootaxa on September 4 and is the work of Les Watling, professor emeritus at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. Watling recognized the resemblance to the famous Wookiee in 2006, during a scientific expedition off Moloka'i, Hawai'i.
“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 working in deep waters, discoveries like this still make me stop and stare.”
Chewbacca coral grows up to 1.2 meters long and lives isolated on the rocky ocean floor. Photo: Europa Press
What at first glance appears to be "skin" or "fur" is actually multiple branches growing from the central colony, giving the coral a distinctive, hairy silhouette. This species belongs to the genus Iridogorgia, known for its spiral structures that stand out in the deep sea.
Unlike reef corals that grow in clustered colonies, I. chewbacca is a more solitary inhabitant. Two specimens have been recorded so far: one off Hawaii, approximately 1.2 meters tall, and a smaller one, 50 centimeters tall, located in 2016 near the Mariana Trench. Both specimens were found isolated in rocky areas on the ocean floor.
Like other corals, this species is not a single organism, but rather a colony of thousands of tiny polyps that work together to create its characteristic complex branching structure.
The discovery of Iridogorgia curvata follows the discovery of Chewbacca coral on the same expedition. Photo: WikiCommons - NOAA Ocean Exploration & Research
The mission that identified Iridogorgia chewbacca also resulted in the classification of another new species, called Iridogorgia curva.
With this discovery, the number of known species within this group of spiral corals in the western Pacific now rises to 10.
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