Scientists from Conservation International discovered dozens of new species while combing through undersea fauna off Indonesia's Papua province. The most interesting find was a shark (Hemiscyillum freycineti) that walks on its fins at the bottom of the sea. From the Associated Press:Erdmann and his team claim to have discovered 52 new species, including 24 new species of fish, 20 new species of coral and eight new species of shrimp. Among the highlights were an epaulette shark that walks on its fins, a praying mantis-like shrimp and scores of reef-building corals, he said.
Erdmann said the discoveries add to an already legendary reputation for the area, which stretches for 70,000 square miles on the northwestern end of Indonesia's Papua province.
Dubbed Asia's "Coral Triangle," it is home to more than 1,200 species of fish and almost 600 species of reef-building coral, or 75 percent of the world's known total.
Link & Image: Washington Post via Boing Boing
Tags: Shark | Shrimp | Coral | New Species | Discovery | Coral Triangle | Indonesia
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