10
STARRY, STARRY CRAB
Scientists have found a new species of
crab off the coast of Taiwan. The new
species has been named Pariphiculus
stellatus, from the Latin word stellatus
meaning “starry”, in recognition of the
fact that it is covered in tiny, star-shaped
growths. The little orange crustacean
was found on a seamount about 60
kilomteres from Taiwan, an area known
for its famous red corals.
The finding has been published in
the journal ZooKeys, in a paper authored
by Peter Ng of the National University of
Singapore and Ming-Shiou Jeng of the
Biodiversity Research Center, Academia
Sinica, Taiwan.GONE BEFORE THEY’RE DISCOVERED?
New research published in the journal
Molecular Ecology reveals that we know
very little about deep sea ecosystems,
and that we are destroying these
habitats before we have a chance to
properly understand them.
Scientists compiling studies on
population genetics in the deep sea
found that in the last 33 years, only nine
papers were published that studiedWHAT BUBBLEDpopulation genetics of invertebrates in
the ocean deeper than 3,500 metres.
When you consider that around half the
planet’s surface is lying 3,500 metres or
more underwater, and that invertebrates
are the dominant life form in this zone,
the importance of this knowledge gap
becomes more apparent.
Animals that live in the deep may be
about as genetically diverse as shallow-
water species, and some populationsare distinct and isolated from each other
even in small areas. Yet we still know
little about them, and are disturbing
these habitats at an alarming rate.
The researchers warned that human
impacts like pollution, fishing, and
mining are encroaching further into
deep sea areas faster than scientists
are studying them. More research is
vital to be successful in protecting these
rich and vulnerable areas.