在2015年的一项深海探险中，研究人员在研究船 E/V Nautilus 上，于加拉巴哥群岛（Galápagos Islands）的达尔文岛（Darwin Island）附近发现了一种被正式命名为 Microeledone galapagensis 的全新微型蓝色章鱼物种。该标本是透过遥控潜水器（RoV）在水下坡度达1,773公尺（5,817英尺）的深度所发现的。这种体型极小、大约仅有高尔夫球大小的头足类动物，能够完全置于人类的手掌之中。

为了在不解剖这唯一收集到的标本的情况下鉴定该物种，芝加哥菲尔德博物馆（Field Museum）的主要作者 Janet Voight 和共同作者 Stephanie Smith 利用了非破坏性的X射线电脑断层扫描（CT）。借由组合数千张CT微观扫描图像，他们创建了高度精细的3D内部与外部重建模型。该模型揭示了关键的解剖特征，包括吸盘稀少且粗短的触手、背部几乎没有色素的平滑皮肤，以及一个独特的漏斗状器官，从而使团队得以对该新物种进行分类。

Microeledone galapagensis 的发现突显了未开发深海生态系统的巨大范围，特别是在面积大于地球所有陆地面积总和的太平洋中。该计划展示了深海探险以及先进的非破坏性成像技术，在理解和保护稀有海洋生物多样性方面所发挥的关键作用，而其中很大一部分仍未被记录。

In 2015, during a deep-sea expedition aboard the research vessel E/V Nautilus, researchers discovered a new species of tiny blue octopus, officially named Microeledone galapagensis, near Darwin Island in the Galápagos Islands. The specimen was spotted using a remotely operated underwater vehicle (RoV) at a depth of 1,773 meters (5,817 feet) near an underwater slope. This extremely small cephalopod, roughly the size of a golf ball, is capable of fitting inside the palm of a human hand.

To identify the species without dissecting the only collected specimen, lead author Janet Voight and coauthor Stephanie Smith of Chicago's Field Museum utilized non-destructive x-ray computed tomography (CT). By assembling thousands of CT micro-scans, they created a highly detailed 3D internal and external reconstruction. This model revealed key anatomical features, including squat tentacles with few suckers, smooth skin virtually devoid of dorsal pigment, and a unique funnel-shaped organ, which allowed the team to classify the new species.

The discovery of Microeledone galapagensis highlights the vast extent of unexplored marine ecosystems, particularly in the Pacific Ocean, which is larger than the Earth's entire landmass combined. This project demonstrates the critical role of deep-sea expeditions and advanced non-destructive imaging technologies in understanding and preserving rare ocean biodiversity, of which a significant portion remains unmapped.