From the BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5350666.stm
Discoveries of hugely diverse fish and coral species in the Indonesian archipelago have amazed researchers.
The Bird's Head region in Papua may be the most biologically diverse in all the oceans, say scientists from Conservation International (CI).
Among 50 species believed to be new are bottom-dwelling "walking" sharks and "flasher" wrasse, which feature colourful male courting displays.
CI is working with the Indonesian government to protect the ecosystem.
"Five years ago we ran our first expedition to Raja Ampat [islands off the Bird's Head], and this revealed what we felt to be the epicentre of marine biodiversity on the planet," said Mark Erdmann, a CI scientist on the project.
Researchers have just returned for a more detailed survey, which revealed 20 corals, 24 fish and eight mantis shrimp believed to be new to science.
Highlights included two apparently new species of epaulette sharks, which spend most of their time walking across the sea floor, swimming away when danger looms.
Unspectacular, dull brown male wrasse transform into a spectacular blaze of yellow, blue and purple to impress females in their harem and persuade them to mate.
I just hope they manage to protect the area. If in the short time they found 50 new species there must be many more out there.
The area'a concerned include tracts of water off the coasts of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and East Timor.
Discoveries of hugely diverse fish and coral species in the Indonesian archipelago have amazed researchers.
The Bird's Head region in Papua may be the most biologically diverse in all the oceans, say scientists from Conservation International (CI).
Among 50 species believed to be new are bottom-dwelling "walking" sharks and "flasher" wrasse, which feature colourful male courting displays.
CI is working with the Indonesian government to protect the ecosystem.
"Five years ago we ran our first expedition to Raja Ampat [islands off the Bird's Head], and this revealed what we felt to be the epicentre of marine biodiversity on the planet," said Mark Erdmann, a CI scientist on the project.
Researchers have just returned for a more detailed survey, which revealed 20 corals, 24 fish and eight mantis shrimp believed to be new to science.
Highlights included two apparently new species of epaulette sharks, which spend most of their time walking across the sea floor, swimming away when danger looms.
Unspectacular, dull brown male wrasse transform into a spectacular blaze of yellow, blue and purple to impress females in their harem and persuade them to mate.
I just hope they manage to protect the area. If in the short time they found 50 new species there must be many more out there.
The area'a concerned include tracts of water off the coasts of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and East Timor.
We're trying to arrange a special SB trip to this area (close anyway) for next year! 
