A Wonderful Discovery in the Philippines

Long regarded for its rich biodiversity, the archipelago that makes up the Philippines is an unsung wonder of the world. Comprised of over 7,000 islands, the Philippines sit on the notorious Pacific Ring of Fire. Being in such close proximity to one of the world’s most active seismic and volcanic regions certainly has its drawbacks, but the silver lining here is the mineral deposits from volcanic activity that result in a stunning variety of life on land and in the sea.

More than 2,400 species of fish and 500 species of coral were known to proliferate the Philippines, but a recent discovery of about 300 new species have brought a new level of excitement to the region. Among the newfound species are sea urchins, starfish, corals, nudibranchs, and sharks. One such species is a newly discovered swellshark, so named for its ability to inflate its stomach with water in order to evade predators. The tactic works best when the swellshark is wedged in a crevice; the inflation of its body makes it difficult for predators to remove it from the small space. This particular swellshark differs from its cousins in that it is a deep water creature, whereas other swellshark species are often found in shallow reef waters.

Another amazing discovery was that of a starfish that feeds exclusively on submerged driftwood, in addition to roughly 20 other new species of starfish and urchins. More than 50 new species of nudibranchs were recorded, and animals that were previously undetected due to their diminutive size were written into the history books during this 6-week study in the Philippine region.

The expedition was conducted by the California Academy of Sciences and the University of the Philippines, with assistance from the National Museum of the Philippines. Scientists from the Steinhart Aquarium, located in San Francisco, CA, collected samples and species to be brought back and added to their Philippine reef display, in order to further educate people about the special nature of the Philippines and the life that exists there. The process is meticulous, from permitting to extraction, to ensure the reef is not harmed. The Steinhart Aquarium houses the coconut octopus, which is indigenous to the Philippine region, and is the only place in the US to have one. The Academy is one of the few institutions that is allowed to extract reef species, as the area is protected by law.