New marine species found in Singapore waters

SINGAPORE — Some 30,000 marine specimens have been collected through surveys conducted on mudflats, seabeds and reef habitats since 2010, as part of a five-year Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey to take stock of Singapore’s marine ecosystem. The survey has so far identified 80 marine species found here for the first time. Among which, 14 species, such as the “Lipstick” sea anemone, are possibly new to science. Scientists and volunteers have also rediscovered about 10 species last seen more than 50 to 100 years ago in Singapore. Last week, the National Parks Board (NParks) and the National University of Singapore’s Tropical Marine Science Institute began their second marine biodiversity expedition to survey reef habitats and the seabed in the Singapore Strait and southern islands of Singapore in the third leg of the entire survey. The first marine expedition, held in October last year, surveyed the Johor Straits.