Census discovers 5,000 marine species

A preview of the Census of Marine Life has revealed that the project has discovered over 5,000 new species. These include bizarre and colourful creatures, as well as many organisms that produce therapeutic chemicals.
A panel of scientists presented these early insights at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in San Diego.
The final report from the decade-long census will be released in October 2010.

BBC News - Census discovers 5,000 marine species

 

I wonder how many are already known, even well known, among marine/reef aquarium hobbyists.

 

The census is done!

 

3 of the 6000 new species



This yet unnamed hairy snail (above) was found in a deep-sea volcano of the coast of Japan, in a hydrothermal vent of high temperature and “eternal darkness”.



Thank goodness Ceratonotus steiningeri is only half a millimeter long.



This 1.3cm long Australian shrimp (above), found on a reef, is raised in a pouch, kangaroo style.



and dibs on the hairy snail

 

Did you guys see the part about the migratory puffins in New Zealand. They found that they make a yearly 40,000 mile round trip migration that goes from New Zealand to Japan, Russia, Alaska, Chile, and then back to New Zealand, all in a single year. The longest recorded migration in history.

 

Those puffens are crazy. and how about the herring that form schools the size of Manhattan.

 

Really neat! It's amazing how many undiscovered species there are out there. Thanks for posting!

 

There are some great videos here too.