Scientists identified seven new species of bamboo coral
discovered on a NOAA-funded mission in the deep waters of the
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Six of these species
may represent entirely new genera, a remarkable feat given the
broad classification a genus represents. A genus is a major
category in the classification of organisms, ranking above a
species and below a family. Scientists expect to identify more
new species as analysis of samples continues. "These discoveries
are important, because deep-sea corals support diverse seafloor
ecosystems and also because these corals may be among the first
marine organisms to be affected by ocean acidification," said
Richard Spinrad, Ph.D., NOAA's assistant administrator for
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. Ocean acidification is a
change in ocean chemistry due to excess carbon dioxide.
Researchers have seen adverse changes in marine life with
calcium-carbonate shells, such as corals, because of acidified
ocean water. "Deep-sea bamboo corals also pr