• Scientists have discovered a new deep-sea coral species, Iridogorgia chewbacca, in the tropical western Pacific Ocean. Its unique hairy, curly branches resemble the iconic Star Wars character Chewbacca, inspiring its unusual name.
• Although first observed in 2006, the coral was only recently confirmed as a distinct species through detailed genetic analysis and morphological studies.
• Professor Les Watling of the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa’s School of Life Sciences played a key role in identifying it, having worked extensively with similar corals in Hawaiian waters and through NOAA research.