Washington, June 25 (ANI): Scientists from the California Academy of Sciences have discovered more than 300 species that are likely new to science, during an expedition to explore biodiversity in the Philippines.
The findings provide additional evidence that the Philippines is one of the most species-rich places on the planet.
"The Philippines is one of the hottest of the hotspots for diverse and threatened life on Earth," says Dr. Terrence Gosliner, Dean of Science and Research Collections at the California Academy of Sciences and leader of the 2011 Philippine Biodiversity Expedition.
"Despite this designation, however, the biodiversity here is still relatively unknown, and we found new species during nearly every dive and hike as we surveyed the country's reefs, rainforests, and the ocean floor.
The 42-day expedition was launched in late April and focused on Luzon, the largest island in the Philippine archipelago, as well as the surrounding waters.
Among the suspected new species - 200 new marine invertebrates, 11 new fish, and at least 40 new spiders - scientists stumbled across such notable finds as a cicada that makes a distinctive "laughing" call, a deep-sea swell shark that inflates its stomach with water to bulk up and scares off other predators.
Gosliner hopes that the species lists and distribution maps that were created during this expedition "will help to inform future conservation decisions and ensure that this remarkable biodiversity is afforded the best possible chance of survival". (ANI)
|
|
Comments:
