Laughing cicadas, cat sharks discovered

[Judi Lynn]

Laughing cicadas, cat sharks discovered
Wednesday, 8 June 2011Agence France-Presse



A new species of nudibranch mollusc (like the one
pictured here) has been discovered.

Credit: Wikimedia

MANILA: Laughing cicadas and small 'cat sharks' are among scores of species believed new to science discovered by U.S. and Filipino researchers in waters and islands of the Philippines, the team said.

The finds showcased the vast biodiversity of the Southeast Asian archipelago that is now under severe threat, said the experts from the California Academy of Sciences and local institutions.

The team found a rich harvest of starfish, sea urchins, eels and barnacles, many of which had not been previously documented by scientists, said Richard Mooi, one of the Californian marine scientists.

"We found at least 75 new species, perhaps more. A lot more analysis is needed," he told a forum, at which the discoveries were announced. "Unquestionably, we found 20 new species of starfish and sea urchins alone," he added.

More:
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/4396/laughing-cicadas-cat-sharks-discovered

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[WillParkinson]

2. That mollusc...

Is one of the prettiest things ever.

[MineralMan]

3. There are many beautiful nudibranchs...

One of my favorites is called Hopkin's Rose. I used to see them when tidepooling in California:

[Odin2005]

4. I love that sea slug!

I wish land slugs were as pretty as sea slugs.