Chewbacca Lives Underwater? New Coral Species Channels the Famous Wookiee

Marine scientists have officially identified a new species of deep-sea coral and given it a name sure to delight Star Wars fans: Iridogorgia chewbacca. The coral earned its pop-culture inspired title because of its resemblance to the beloved Wookiee warrior. With long, flexible branches covered in fuzzy polyps, the coral’s “hairy” look reminded researchers of Chewbacca’s towering, shaggy figure.

The discovery was detailed in the journal Zootaxa and co-authored by Les Watling, professor emeritus at the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa’s School of Life Sciences. Watling first spotted the coral while examining data gathered by Chinese researchers and cross-referenced it with years of his own work in Hawaiian waters and NOAA-led expeditions. He recalls that seeing the coral for the first time was “unforgettable,” and immediately called to mind the iconic Star Wars character.

Although this coral was first observed in the wild in 2006, it had not been properly classified. It took years of further analysis, including genetic testing, to confirm that it was indeed a distinct species within the Iridogorgia genus. The official recognition of Iridogorgia chewbacca now expands scientists’ knowledge of coral biodiversity and underscores how much remains undiscovered in the deep ocean.

The new coral inhabits the tropical western Pacific, standing alone with a shiny, upright form that distinguishes it from related species. Beyond its quirky name, the find highlights the value of international collaboration in ocean research. It also serves as a reminder that even in regions long studied by marine scientists, unexpected discoveries continue to emerge.

By linking science to popular culture, the naming of Iridogorgia chewbacca may also help raise public interest in ocean conservation. Just as Chewbacca played a loyal and vital role in the Star Wars saga, this coral now stands as a unique figure in Earth’s underwater ecosystems—both a biological curiosity and a symbol of the mysteries still hidden beneath the waves.