Scientists Spot New Marine Species
5 November 2007
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A swimming sea cucumber, a Nemo-like orange fish and a worm with tentacles sprouting from its head are among dozens of possible new species found during a survey of the Celebes Sea, researchers said Tuesday.
A team of U.S. and Filipino scientists plunged up to three miles underwater in early October in an area that has been isolated by rising sea levels and may have spawned sea life not found elsewhere.
They collected between 50 and 100 potentially undiscovered species of marine invertebrates and fishes.
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The survey was conducted by Woods Hole, National Geographic and Filipino scientists at the Coral Triangle — bodies of water bounded by the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia that are known to contain the world’s richest biodiversity in shallow water marine species.
It will take a few more weeks of study of the deepwater sea life samples before they can be declared new species, Madin said during a video presentation of the findings in Manila.
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The team also collected various types of deepwater jellyfish, predatory eels and single-celled organisms — as well as piles of household garbage.
The area holds promise for more discoveries, Madin said.
 
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