274 species new to science and a further 80 seamounts, or undersea mountains.....Australian

An undated handout photo obtained on October 8, 2008 shows a new species of Ophiacantha brittlestar in the Huon Commonwealth Marine Reserve off southern Tasmania, as marine research voyages revealed 274 species new to science which were brought to the surface and analysed, along with 86 species previously unknown in Australian waters and 242 previously studied species. Scientists from around the world have analysed the findings of these voyages, which included an incredible 274 species new to science and a further 80 seamounts, or undersea mountains, which are some of the most biologically important habitats in our oceans. The richness of molluscs found in these voyages has been described by marine scientists as astounding and requiring a complete rewrite of textbooks for this type of fauna.


An undated handout photo obtained on October 8, 2008 shows a new species of Marginaster seastar in the Huon Commonwealth Marine Reserve off southern Tasmania, as marine research voyages revealed 274 species new to science which were brought to the surface and analysed, along with 86 species previously unknown in Australian waters and 242 previously studied species. Scientists from around the world have analysed the findings of these voyages, which included an incredible 274 species new to science and a further 80 seamounts, or undersea mountains, which are some of the most biologically important habitats in our oceans. The richness of molluscs found in these voyages has been described by marine scientists as astounding and requiring a complete rewrite of textbooks for this type of fauna.