Scientists just discovered eight new fish species and one new coral species after conducting a marine survey around Bali. Targeting 33 different sites the team identified 952 fish and found that eight were new undiscovered species that included damsels, eels and blennies plus a new variety of euphyllia coral.
The team of scientists from Conservation International did the surveys off the northeast coast of this popular tourist destination part of Indonesia. The team surveyed well-know dive sites like Tulamben, as well as Nusa Dua, Gili Manuk and Pemuteran, making observations at depths of 10 to 70 meters (11 to 77 yards).
Although they discovered the new fish, they have not yet been named but are in the the genera Siphamia, Heteroconger, Apogon, Parapercis, Meiacanthus, Manonichthys, Grallenia and Pseudochromis
We are always excited to see new species and will look forward to hearing more about these especially adding to the recent discovery of other new species including the Pomacentrus cheraphilus found in Brunei and the Phillipines, the stunningly tiny and beautiful Trimma maiandros, the four new gobies we touched on earlier this year, and the deepwater Plectranthias species to name a few.
Preliminary information is rather vague on the new coral just noting it is a euphyllia sp. and referred to as bubble coral.
[via Sydney Morning Herald via AFP]
