Ocean census reveals more than 1,100 new species

Less than 0.001 percent of the seafloor has been directly seen by scientists. Many underwater spaces may still contain undiscovered creatures. A global research collaboration identified 1,121 entirely new species living beneath the ocean waves. The effort used 13 expeditions and nine workshops over the past year to identify and categorize new species. The process is usually slow, with more than 13 years passing between collecting an unidentified specimen and formally describing it as a new species. For less studied organisms such as sea sponges, the timeline can be even longer. Scientists estimated in 2011 that 91 percent of ocean species remained undiscovered, meaning full description would take centuries at the current pace. The collaboration works with taxonomists worldwide and uses an open-access data platform to house thousands of entries about previously unknown species.

"Less than 0.001 percent of the seafloor has ever been directly seen by scientists. From underwater trenches to sea caves, there are myriad spaces where undiscovered creatures may be lurking. And thanks to the Ocean Census Alliance, we now know of 1,121 entirely new species living beneath the ocean waves. This global research collaboration aims to unveil as many new marine species as possible."

"Over the course of 13 expeditions and nine workshops in the past year, the alliance worked tirelessly to identify and categorize the new speciesa process that is usually slow going. I think trying to speed that process up is very important, says Michelle Taylor, head of science at the Ocean Census Alliance. Then that information is available ... for conservation measures, for taxonomists and for just knowing what's out there."

"On average, more than 13 years pass between an unidentified specimen's collection and its formal description as a new species. And for less studied organisms, such as sea sponges, that timeline can be even longer. As of 2011, scientists estimated that as much as 91 percent of the oceans' species remained undiscoveredso fully describing all our planet's marine inhabitants would take scientists centuries at the current pace."

"For the past three years, the Ocean Census Alliance has been working with taxonomists around the world to accelerate discovery. Its open-access data platform Ocean Census NOVA now houses thousands of entries detailing previously unknown species lurkin"

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