A brainless and faceless fish was one of 15 rare species discovered during a series of marine surveys this year.
The prehistoric Amphioxus, described by the Scottish Government as ''elusive'', was found in waters off Tankerness in Orkney.
The fish has a nerve chord down its back and is said to be regarded as a representative of the first animals to evolve a backbone.
Giant mussels with shells measuring up to 48cm (18in), were also discovered around the Small Isles and are said to have the largest sea shells in Scotland.
More than 100 specimens of fan mussels were found around the islands, meaning the area has the largest aggregation of the fish in UK waters.
The mussels are said to have golden threads similar to human hair, which are so fine they are able to attach to a single grain of sand.
In Caithness, the country's largest horse mussel bed was found in waters near Noss Head.
The species, known as ''Clabbydhhu'' in Gaelic, which translates as ''enormous black mouth'', are slow-growing molluscs that can live for up to 50 years.
They are said to stabilise mobile seabeds and provide a critical ecosystem for other species.
Other rare finds from the marine surveys, which covered over 2,000 square miles, included Flame Shell beds in Loch Linnhe, Argyll, as well as new communities of Northern Feather Star, a brightly coloured species with 10 feather-like arms fanning out from a central disc, which were revealed off the Sound of Canna.
The Scottish Government said the findings will further the country's knowledge of the biodiversity of its seas.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: ''In an age where the lands of the world have been mapped out and recorded, it's amazing how many discoveries are waiting to be found under the waves.
''Spanning from the weird to the wonderful, discoveries this year have included the bizarre Amphioxus and the beautiful yet elusive brightly coloured Flame Shell.
''The waters around Scotland are rich in such fascinating biodiversity and it's our responsibility to protect this fragile environment.
''That's why we have ramped up our marine survey work, with plans being prepared for new surveys in 2012 to further our knowledge of what lies beneath Scotland's seas.''
Dr Dan Barlow, head of policy at WWF Scotland, said: ''These surveys highlight that Scotland's seas and coasts are home to a truly amazing range of weird and wonderful wildlife.
''By providing vital information on what lies beneath the waves, these surveys will help inform decisions on better ways to protect this important resource now and long into the future.
''It is important that the Government builds on this survey work to further our knowledge of the marine environment.''
Susan Davies, director of policy and advice with Scottish Natural Heritage, added: ''Scotland's seas really are a fantastic asset. The findings from these surveys will help us to manage them sustainably and ensure future generations can also enjoy the benefits of a healthy and diverse marine environment.''
During the surveys, multi-beam scanners were used to create 3D images of the seabed, allowing the first marine maps of many new areas to be made.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/8981262/Elusive-brainless-fish-discovered-in-waters-off-Scotland.html
Showing posts with label 'sucker fish'. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 'sucker fish'. Show all posts
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Vampire fish to lipstick geckos among new species found around Mekong River
The 'sucker' fish (Oreoglanis) which uses its body to stick to rocks in fast flowing waters Photo: WWFA red-lipped gecko, a fish with "vampire" fangs and a seven metre high carnivorous plant are among 145 new species discovered around the Mekong River in South-East Asia.
By Danielle Demetriou
Published: 7:00AM BST 06 Oct 2010
The catalogue of unusual new creatures and plants was outlined in a new World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report which called for action to protect the biodiversity of the region.
The report revealed that an average of three new species were discovered by scientists in the region every week throughout 2009.
The catalogue of unusual new creatures and plants was outlined in a new World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report which called for action to protect the biodiversity of the region.
The report revealed that an average of three new species were discovered by scientists in the region every week throughout 2009.
Another new discovery was the tiny "lipstick gecko" which has bright red lips.
A "sucker" fish which uses its body to stick to rocks in fast flowing waters to move upstream was also identified for the first time by scientists.
Other creations discovered last year included a fangless snake, a frog that chirps like a cricket and a tall insect-trapping pitcher plant that grows to over 23 feet.
"The rate of discovery in the Mekong is almost without equal globally," said Stuart Chapman, the regional conservation director of WWF.
"That's attributed to the enormous geographical and climatic range within the region, going from high altitude to dense tropical forests through to some of the richest freshwater in the world.
"Undoubtedly this region is one of the richest in terms of its biodiversity, but it's also one of the most threatened."
The study was released as government representatives from around the world prepared to gather in Japan for next week's United Nations convention on biodiversity.
The meeting aims to establish new global targets to halt a growing decline in biodiversity, with the loss of wildlife around the world currently estimated to be 1,000 faster than the natural rate.
The Greater Mekong region – which covers Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and the southern Chinese province of Yunnan – is home to some of the planet's most endangered species, from tigers and Asian elephants to the Mekong dolphin and giant cuttlefish.
Scientists are increasingly calling for its wide-ranging biodiversity to be protected, as it is home to an ever-growing number of previously unidentified animals and plants.
More photos at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/8045252/Vampire-fish-to-lipstick-geckos-among-new-species-found-around-Mekong-River.html
(Submitted by Richard Freeman)
Vampire fish to lipstick geckos among new species found around Mekong River
The 'sucker' fish (Oreoglanis) which uses its body to stick to rocks in fast flowing waters Photo: WWFA red-lipped gecko, a fish with "vampire" fangs and a seven metre high carnivorous plant are among 145 new species discovered around the Mekong River in South-East Asia.
By Danielle Demetriou
Published: 7:00AM BST 06 Oct 2010
The catalogue of unusual new creatures and plants was outlined in a new World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report which called for action to protect the biodiversity of the region.
The report revealed that an average of three new species were discovered by scientists in the region every week throughout 2009.
The catalogue of unusual new creatures and plants was outlined in a new World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report which called for action to protect the biodiversity of the region.
The report revealed that an average of three new species were discovered by scientists in the region every week throughout 2009.
Another new discovery was the tiny "lipstick gecko" which has bright red lips.
A "sucker" fish which uses its body to stick to rocks in fast flowing waters to move upstream was also identified for the first time by scientists.
Other creations discovered last year included a fangless snake, a frog that chirps like a cricket and a tall insect-trapping pitcher plant that grows to over 23 feet.
"The rate of discovery in the Mekong is almost without equal globally," said Stuart Chapman, the regional conservation director of WWF.
"That's attributed to the enormous geographical and climatic range within the region, going from high altitude to dense tropical forests through to some of the richest freshwater in the world.
"Undoubtedly this region is one of the richest in terms of its biodiversity, but it's also one of the most threatened."
The study was released as government representatives from around the world prepared to gather in Japan for next week's United Nations convention on biodiversity.
The meeting aims to establish new global targets to halt a growing decline in biodiversity, with the loss of wildlife around the world currently estimated to be 1,000 faster than the natural rate.
The Greater Mekong region – which covers Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and the southern Chinese province of Yunnan – is home to some of the planet's most endangered species, from tigers and Asian elephants to the Mekong dolphin and giant cuttlefish.
Scientists are increasingly calling for its wide-ranging biodiversity to be protected, as it is home to an ever-growing number of previously unidentified animals and plants.
More photos at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/8045252/Vampire-fish-to-lipstick-geckos-among-new-species-found-around-Mekong-River.html
(Submitted by Richard Freeman)
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Lost and found: Census of Marine Life turns up hundreds of species
 |
| 'The deep sea creature found in the Coral Sea, the Jurassic Prawn, was previously believed to be extinct.' |
1:48 AM Tue 5 Oct 2010 GMT
A species that had previously been deemed extinct, was discovered on an underwater peak in the Coral Sea, along with hundreds of new species, in a $669m decade-long global marine survey, 'Census of Marine Life', conducted by scientists across the area between Australia and New Caledonia.
The 12cm long Neoglyphea neocaledonica, or 'Jurassic shrimp', was turned up among more than 30 million observations of 120,000 species, showing the study team just how much there is still to learn about ocean life.
Launched in London last night, the First 'Census of Marine Life' aimed to establish a baseline against which 21st century changes can be measured. It found more than 6,000 potentially new species, describing 1200 of them in detail. But scientists said they estimate more than 750,000 species remain undiscovered.
The report says little is known about four out of five species in Australian waters, a greater proportion than any other continent. Between a third and half of the hundreds of soft corals described on the Great Barrier Reef and Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef in the past decade were new finds.
The chairman of the census steering committee, Australian Ian Poiner, said the researchers 'systematically defined for the first time both the known and the vast unknown, unexplored ocean'.
'Sea life provides half of our oxygen and a lot of our food and regulates climate,' he said.
Researchers tracked migratory routes using sound, satellites and electronics. They found that, by weight, up to 90 per cent of marine life was microbial. But more than 20 per cent of the oceans volume remained unmapped by scientists.
More at http://www.coml.org/
http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?Nid=75437&refre=y&ntid=0&rid=3
Lost and found: Census of Marine Life turns up hundreds of species
|
| 'The deep sea creature found in the Coral Sea, the Jurassic Prawn, was previously believed to be extinct.' |
1:48 AM Tue 5 Oct 2010 GMT
A species that had previously been deemed extinct, was discovered on an underwater peak in the Coral Sea, along with hundreds of new species, in a $669m decade-long global marine survey, 'Census of Marine Life', conducted by scientists across the area between Australia and New Caledonia.
The 12cm long Neoglyphea neocaledonica, or 'Jurassic shrimp', was turned up among more than 30 million observations of 120,000 species, showing the study team just how much there is still to learn about ocean life.
Launched in London last night, the First 'Census of Marine Life' aimed to establish a baseline against which 21st century changes can be measured. It found more than 6,000 potentially new species, describing 1200 of them in detail. But scientists said they estimate more than 750,000 species remain undiscovered.
The report says little is known about four out of five species in Australian waters, a greater proportion than any other continent. Between a third and half of the hundreds of soft corals described on the Great Barrier Reef and Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef in the past decade were new finds.
The chairman of the census steering committee, Australian Ian Poiner, said the researchers 'systematically defined for the first time both the known and the vast unknown, unexplored ocean'.
'Sea life provides half of our oxygen and a lot of our food and regulates climate,' he said.
Researchers tracked migratory routes using sound, satellites and electronics. They found that, by weight, up to 90 per cent of marine life was microbial. But more than 20 per cent of the oceans volume remained unmapped by scientists.
More at http://www.coml.org/
http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?Nid=75437&refre=y&ntid=0&rid=3
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Monster fish slaps, nibbles swimmers
A MONSTER fish has been terrorising swimmers at a popular Darwin city beach.
Witnesses say the 1m-long beast - dubbed The Sucker Fish - chases, head butts, slaps and nibbles on anyone near it at the recreation lagoon at the waterfront.
Some even say they are avoiding the artificial waterhole to swim in peace.
"He's very territorial," said Health Porter, 29, of Leanyer. "Once you go through its territory it chases you for about 100m all the way back to shore. He either hits you with his finn or tries to head butt you.
"It's quite eerie when he first does it."
Have you encountered the frisky waterfront fish? - leave your comment below
Experts are puzzled as to the kind of species the beast may be, speculating a queenfish or trevally may be behind the attacks.
Amateur Fishermen's Association chief executive Chris Makepeace said the behaviour was unusual. "I don't think it would be dangerous," he said.
The sightings came a year after a rogue cod bit a woman on the toe while standing in shallow water at Lake Alexander, in Fannie Bay.
Darwin City Council closed the lake and used nets and traps for days before catching the fish and releasing it in the ocean.
It was named the Loch Alexander Monster.
The monster from the Waterfront Lagoon is reported to appear mainly at dawn, dusk and when the sky is cloudy and swimmers have been frightened away.
Triathletes are known to use the waterfront lagoon to practise for competitions.
But personal trainer and triathlet Jac Croton, 33, said many swimmers had turned their backs to the waterhole after receiving a fishy fright.
"I heard it has stopped a lot of people from swimming there," she said.
"It's just such a waste. Why don't they just relocate the fish."
The Waterfront Corporation said the lagoon was a natural eco system which included fish and algae.
They said larger fish would be removed periodically but they had heard no concerns from beach-goers recently.
NADJA HAINKE
Witnesses say the 1m-long beast - dubbed The Sucker Fish - chases, head butts, slaps and nibbles on anyone near it at the recreation lagoon at the waterfront.
Some even say they are avoiding the artificial waterhole to swim in peace.
"He's very territorial," said Health Porter, 29, of Leanyer. "Once you go through its territory it chases you for about 100m all the way back to shore. He either hits you with his finn or tries to head butt you.
"It's quite eerie when he first does it."
Have you encountered the frisky waterfront fish? - leave your comment below
Experts are puzzled as to the kind of species the beast may be, speculating a queenfish or trevally may be behind the attacks.
Amateur Fishermen's Association chief executive Chris Makepeace said the behaviour was unusual. "I don't think it would be dangerous," he said.
The sightings came a year after a rogue cod bit a woman on the toe while standing in shallow water at Lake Alexander, in Fannie Bay.
Darwin City Council closed the lake and used nets and traps for days before catching the fish and releasing it in the ocean.
It was named the Loch Alexander Monster.
The monster from the Waterfront Lagoon is reported to appear mainly at dawn, dusk and when the sky is cloudy and swimmers have been frightened away.
Triathletes are known to use the waterfront lagoon to practise for competitions.
But personal trainer and triathlet Jac Croton, 33, said many swimmers had turned their backs to the waterhole after receiving a fishy fright.
"I heard it has stopped a lot of people from swimming there," she said.
"It's just such a waste. Why don't they just relocate the fish."
The Waterfront Corporation said the lagoon was a natural eco system which included fish and algae.
They said larger fish would be removed periodically but they had heard no concerns from beach-goers recently.
NADJA HAINKE
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