By Kacey Deamer, Staff Writer |
January 13, 2017 03:18pm ET
An elusive ruby seadragon that
was previously known only from museum specimens has been spotted alive in its
natural habitat for the first time.
The scarlet-colored
fish (Phyllopteryx dewysea) was first discovered as a distinct species in
2015, when researchers uncovered a misidentified preserved specimen while
studying the two known species of seadragons — the orange-tinted leafy
seadragon and the yellow-and-purple common seadragon. Since the discovery,
scientists have sought the 9.4-inch-long (24 centimeters) ruby seadragon in the
wild. Now, a team of researchers have observed two ruby seadragons on video for
nearly 30 minutes in the waters off Western Australia, in the Recherche
Archipelago.
Using a small remotely
operated vehicle (ROV) in waters more than 160 feet (50 meters) deep, the
researchers waited several days before spotting the rare fish. These
observations of the ruby seadragons in the wild have led to a greater
understanding of the unique species' anatomy, habitat and behavior, the
scientists said.
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