Inflatable shark among 300 new Phl species

MANILA, Philippines - A group of scientists that recently conducted a biodiversity expedition in Luzon discovered 300 new land and marine species, including a shrimp-eating shark that puffs up to frighten other predators.

A report on LiveScience.com said the team found dozens of new insects and spiders, more than 50 colorful new sea slugs, and corals which protect themselves from nibbling fish by growing large, spiky plates.

The team, which conducted a 42-day expedition in Luzon, was composed of researchers from the California Academy of Sciences and the University of the Philippines. Other new species discovered include a cicada that makes a “laughing call,” a crab with pincers lined with needlelike teeth, and a worm-like pipefish that hides among colonies of soft coral.

The so-called swell shark pumps water into its stomach to swell up and look formidable to other predators. Unlike its relatives, it possesses a distinctive camouflaged pattern.

Terrence Gosliner of the California Academy of Sciences, who headed the expedition, was quoted in the report as saying that a number of species in places rarely visited by people have avoided detection, many of these because of their diminutive size, such as goblin spiders.

He said that in the steep upper slopes of Mount Isarog, a primitive plant called a spikemoss is still found. 

Because of these findings, Gosliner said the Philippines is “one of the hottest hotspots for diverse and threatened life on Earth.”

The report said the researchers are sharing the results of the expedition with Philippine agencies and international groups to formulate strategies for the protection of new species.

These include the expansion of marine protection areas, identification of locations for reforestation, and reduction of plastic waste.

“We are hoping the findings will result in recommendations that will translate into policies that will produce a more sustainable future for Filipinos while simultaneously protecting the unique biodiversity,” Gosliner was quoted in the report as saying.

The team is set to present the preliminary findings tomorrow during the California Academy of Sciences’ weekly NightLife event.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) noted that only 1.7 million species of plants and animals have been catalogued and that scientists estimate that there are some 17 million species lying or spread around the country’s biodiversity areas.