New Species Discovered in Suriname- Picture Special

A scientific expedition to Suriname has yielded some impressive results for Conservation International - not least the possibility of newly classified species.

>>Scroll down for more images<<

The Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) expedition was a three week survey along the Kutari and Siplaliwini rivers in Southern Suriname from August to September 2010.

The scientists identified a total of 1,300 species 40-50 of which they believe may be new to science.

The new species include the Cowboy Frog (Hypsiboas sp.) so called because of its distinctive 'spurs' on the frogs 'heels'; the Armoured Catfish (Pseudacanthicus sp.) with its sharp spines to defend itself from giant piranhas; and the Crayola Katydid (Vestria sp.) so called due to its striking colouration.

Other interesting (although not new) species spotted include the Pac-Man Frog (Ceratophrys cornuta) whose massive mouth allows it to swallow prey almost its own size; the Great Horned Beetle (Coprophanaeus lancifer) a dung beetle the size of a tangerine; the Spectacular Conehead Katydid (Loboscelis bacatus) with fluorescent green and pink colouring; and the Green Crested Katydid (Steirodon sp.) a plant eating insect which mimics vegetation in order to avoid being eaten.


Cowboy Frog (Hypsiboas sp.) 
Image: Paul Ouboter/ Conservation International

Armoured Catfish (Pseudacanthicus sp.)
Image: Kenneth Wang Tong/ Conservation International

Crayola Katydid (Vestria sp.)
Piotr Naskrecki/ Conservation International

Pac-Man Frog (Ceratophrys cornuta)
Image: Trond Larsen/ Conservation International

Great Horned Beetle (Coprophanaeus lancifer)
Image: Piotr Naskrecki/ Conservation International

Spectacular Conehead Katydid (Loboscelis bacatus)
Image: Piotr Naskrecki/ Conservation International

Green Crested Katydid (Steirodon sp.)
Image: Piotr Naskrecki/ Conservation International

Images from Conservation International: “An Armored Catfish, a ‘Cowboy Frog’, and a Rainbow of Colorful Critters discovered in Southwest Suriname”

Irish Scientists Search for New Species in the mid-Atlantic

A group of Irish scientists will today lead a mission to the mid-Atlantic in search of strange new species at the bottom of the ocean.

The VENTURE mission is led by Dr. Andy Wheeler from the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at UCC and includes a host of scientists from that institution, along with colleagues from NUIGalway, the Marine Institute and the UK's National Oceanography Centre.

The scientists leave Galway this morning aboard the Marine Institute's research vessel, the RV Celtic Explorer. The mission is being filmed by the National Geographic Channel.

The mission will investigate life 3,000 metres below the surface of the sea and seek out hydrothermal vents using the ship's Remotely Operated Vehicle, the Holland 1.

The Holland 1 is named for the Irish scientist and inventor John Philip Holland who invented the first modern submarines. I've written extensively about Holland on this blog already.

Patrick Collins of NUI Galway says this mission will allow him to find some new marine species: "We hope to find a whole community of previously unknown species, increasing our understanding of deep sea biogeography. There is potential here to put Ireland on the global map as a serious player in deep sea science. This is all the more timely with the exploitation of deep sea and hydrothermal vents for precious metals and rare earth minerals now a reality.”

You can find more information on the VENTURE mission here.
For a Q&A on the mission, see here.
The scientists will be maintaining a blog of their activities during the trip here.
Aaron Lim, a 4th year Earth Science student from UCC is also blogging from the mission here.

Fancy getting to name a new marine species?

Image: (c)Patrick Collins

A team of Irish and UK scientists will shortly embark on a 25-day trip to the depths of the Atlantic ocean as part of a National Geographic-funded study to examine a previously uncharted hydrothermal vent ecosystem.

The work will be filmed by National Geographic and the campaign will be led by Chief Scientist Dr. Andy Wheeler of the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UCC.

The Marine Institute's research vessel, Celtic Explorer will travel to the mid-Atlantic ridge to examine the unique ecosystem in July. "It is literally, an alien world", according to Andy Wheeler.

UCC scientists Prof. John Gamble, Dr. Jens Carlsson, Prof. John Benzie Prof. Tom Cross, Dr. Boris Dorschel will all contribute to the study, alongside a number of scientists from NUI Galway, National Oceanography Centre (UK) in Southampton, University of Southampton and the Geological Survey of Ireland.

For more background on the Venture project, see this article from the Irish Times.

RV Celtic Explorer

Patrick Collins, a researcher at NUI Galway, also taking part in the project, has organised an exciting competition for secondary school students in Ireland. The prize? To get to put your name on one of the many newly discovered species that the team are likely to find as part of the study.

The competition is open to all secondary school students across Ireland and the UK. To enter, students must use their imaginations and understanding of biology and habitats to design their own deep sea hydrothermal vent creature.

The organisers are looking for carefully thought out illustrations along with a description of the creature’s habitat, diet, life and evolutionary history, and whatever else you think is important. The competition will close on June 15 2011, and the winner will be announced after the Celtic Explorer returns to Ireland in August.

For more details on how to enter see the BEES Research Blog.