Scientists of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego and the Western Australia Museum (WAM) discovered a new seadragon, named the Rubby Seadragons (Phyllopteryx dewysea). Seadragon is different because of the arrangement of DNA, bones, and its red color.
The color of the specimen was a bright shade of red and vastly different from the orange tint in Leafy Seadragons (Phycodurus eques) and the yellow and purple hues of Common Seadragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus).
This is a specimen of the Ruby Seadragon. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1zSzR4v) |
Initially, scientists analyzed seadragon DNA samples from Australia and found irregularities. Scientists then asked for specimens that have been stored in the museum over 8 years to be investigated. The research found that the specimen itself is already showing the novelty species of seadragon because of its red colors.
"It's been 150 years since the last discovered a newsea dragon and this time we suspect there are only two species. Suddenly, there is a third species. If we can skip this charismatic species for so long, we certainly have more things that can be found in the oceans," said Nerida Wilson, a scientist from the WAM that finding the sea dragon.
Below is a rotational view of the 3-D Ruby Seadragon.
Below is a rotational view of the 3-D Ruby Seadragon.
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