African Dwarf Sawshark Among Newly Discovered Species in 2011

Posted on December 29, 2011

Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences discovered 140 new species in 2011. The new species include 72 arthropods, 31 sea slugs, 13 fishes, 11 plants, nine sponges, three corals, and one reptile.

The new discoveries included four new sharks discovered by Academy research associate David Ebert and his colleagues. The sharks include the unusual African dwarf sawshark (Pristiophorus nancyae), which was collected via a bottom trawl at a depth of 1,600 feet, off the coast of Mozambique. The shark has an elongated blade-like snout, or "rostrum," which is studded with sharp teeth. The shark uses the rostrum as a weapon. The sawshark swims through a school of fish swinging its rostrum back and forth, stunning and injuring prey. The shark then swims back and consumes the casualties.

Gopherus morafkai, a species of tortoise, was identified as a new species in 2011 by researchers. The tortoise can be found in Arizona and Mexico. It was previously thought to belong to the Gopherus agassizii family. Academy curator emeritus Alan Leviton and colleagues, collaborating with Dr. Robert Murphy of the Royal Ontario Museum, used DNA analysis to determine that the tortoises are two distinct species.

Another newly discovered species in 2011 is the brightly colored Dermatobranchus leoni, a new species of sea slug (nudibranch) from the Philippines. Nudibranchs use their vivid colors to warn predators of their toxic or unpalatable nature.

You can find a list of the new species discovered in 2011 here.


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