Kiwi Scientist Finds New Marine Species
Posted on: Thursday, 30 December 2004, 15:00 CST
FIFTEEN new marine species have been discovered by a New Zealand fossil specialist working in Antarctica.
The new species are mostly shellfish similar to pipi and cockles, but also include sea stars, sea lillies and a new species of coral.
Dan Hikuroa, from Auckland University's science faculty, made the discoveries while doing field work with the British Antarctic Survey in the summer of 1999-2000.
Mr Hikuroa specialises in fossils between 140 million and 170 million years old -- the same age as the rocks in the formation.
He spent 73 days living in a tent five hours' flight from the nearest base, mapping the area and chiselling out three tonnes of rock equating to 3300 samples from sedimentary rocks of the Latady Formation.
"It was a pretty amazing experience being dropped out there with two snowmobiles and provisions for 21/2 months," he said.
Only one per cent of Antarctica has exposed rock and the area he worked in was of geological interest because it originated from the super continent of Gondwana, parts of which were subtropical at one time. Because he was in a British expedition his samples were sent home to Auckland via London.
Mr Hikuroa then a spent a year reassembling his collection before starting the long and laborious task of analysing each one individually.
After more than three years of patient study he has come up with 15 new species, plus another 36 that are likely to be new -- results that surprised even him.
"It's stunning. I'm absolutely rapt."
The 36 uncertain results occurred because the specimens have not been perfectly preserved.
"But they are not similar to anything else," he said.
An article reporting Mr Hikuroa's findings has been accepted for publication in the New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, and three more articles are in preparation.
His work has also formed the basis of a PhD thesis, which Mr Hikuroa has just finished.
In 2005, he plans some post-doctoral research on deep marine biodiversity and the sustainability of New Zealand's fisheries.
Source: Dominion Post
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