New animal species found on Australian reefs by Martina Janeckova

Marine scientists have discovered hundreds of new animal species on Australian reefs during expeditions organized by the Australian chapter of CReefs, a global census of coral reefs. Researchers organized three expeditions, two in the waters off the Great Barrier Reef’s Lizard and Heron islands and one in the Ningaloo Reef. Julian Caley, a scientist from the Australian Institute of Marine Science said that “people have been working at these places for a long time and still there are literally hundreds and hundreds of new species that no one has ever collected or described and if we don't understand what biodiversity is out there, we don't have much of a chance of protecting it.” Among the creatures found were about 130 soft corals, also known as octocorals, which have never been described in scientific literature but they make up a large part of the Great Barrier Reef. Scientists have also found lots of previously undescribed crustaceans. Scientists plan to explore the three sites annually for the next six years. The 10-year census, scheduled for final publication in 2010, is supported by governments, divisions of the United Nations and private conservation organizations. Researchers also fixed 36 plastic house-like structures to the ocean floor and want to study the life inside each house over the next few years. “The scientist’s findings could have direct benefits for humans,” said Ron Johnstone, a marine science professor at the University of Queensland. “Marine life is used in medicines, and the creatures could also provide clues as to how they cope with climate change and pollution - issues people wrangle with as well.”

by Martina Janeckova for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

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