New Mollusc Found

Marine scientists find new mollusc.

A TEAM of marine scientists has chosen Coolum to present the findings of its biodiversity surveys on the shallow reefs off the Sunshine Coast.

The scientists recorded 222 species of fish and 144 species of corals and relatives such as soft corals, sea fans and anemones and even found a new species of under-sea animal.

The mollusc, with a ruffled yellow exterior and featuring tiny tentacles and prongs, was photographed in the shallow reefs off Mooloolaba.

The photo was dispatched to mollusc expert Richard Willan, at Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery, who “jumped up and down” when he saw it.

A specimen must now be collected and studied before it can be identified as a new species and given its formal name.

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