Scientists have formally identified and named a new species of octopus discovered in the deep waters surrounding the Galápagos Islands. The species, designated Microeledone galapagensis, was found at a depth of 5,900 feet underwater.

The small octopus, approximately the size of a golf ball, was first spotted in 2015 near Darwin Island in the Galápagos archipelago. Researchers have now completed a comprehensive study that provides both a formal scientific description and official naming of the species.

The newly identified octopus displays a distinctive blue coloration, a trait that researchers note is uncommon in marine life. The species' scientific name reflects its geographic origin, with "galapagensis" referencing the island chain where it was discovered.

The discovery adds to the growing catalog of unique species found in the Galápagos region, an area renowned for its biodiversity and evolutionary significance. The deep-water habitat where this octopus was found represents one of the less explored environments in the archipelago's surrounding waters.

The formal description and naming of the species follows standard scientific protocols that require detailed analysis of the organism's physical characteristics, genetic makeup, and habitat before official classification can be completed.