Pictures: Rarely Seen Animals from Australia's Eastern Abyss

An international research team returned from a voyage of deep sea discovery last month with an astonishing variety of animals from Australia’s eastern abyss.

Considered one of the most inaccessible and unexplored environments on the planet, the scientists sampled life from the 4,000 meters (2.5 miles) below the surface. More than one third of invertebrates and a number of the fish found are completely new to science.

Called Sampling the Abyss, the 31-day voyage on CSIRO's Marine National Facility research vessel Investigator brought together scientists from Museums Victoria, CSIRO and other Australian and international museums and research agencies.

Red spiny crab. Credit: Asher Flatt

Zombie worm. Credit: Maggie Georgieva

Glass sponge. Credit: Rob Zugaro

Sipuncula or peanut worm. Credit: Rob Zugaro

Giant anemone-sucking sea spider. Credit: Asher Flatt

Red coffinfish. Credit: Rob Zugaro

Faceless Fish. Credit: Asher Flatt

Dumbo octopus. Credit: Rob Zugaro

Cookie cutter shark. Credit: Rob Zugaro

Blob fish. Credit: Rob Zugaro

Source: CSIRO