Scientists Find New Species in Hawaii [View All]

[icymist]

October 31, 2006, 8:14 PM EST


HONOLULU -- Researchers on a three-week mission to remote French Frigate Shoals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands discovered 100 species never seen in the area before, including many that may be entirely new to science.

"There were lots of organisms that people were saying, 'Wow! What's that?'" said Joel Martin, a zoologist in charge of invertebrates for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Researchers returned from the voyage Sunday with at least 1,000 species of invertebrates, including worms, crabs and sea stars. About 160 unique species of limu were also found.

Among the discoveries are: multicolored worms, a bright purple, foot-long sea star and a hermit crab that dons a sea anemone and sports shiny golden claws.
Newsday