The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) has identified 1,000 new species of fish since its survey started in 2008.
WoRMS is a marine database that aims to offer a comprehensive list of marine organisms' names. The organization also works towards bringing together the knowledge of marine life in its database.
WoRMS scientists also identified about 1,500 new marine creatures in 2014 alone, which includes a giant jellyfish and a humpbacked dolphin. Scientists working on the survey also revealed that although they have found new species, there are still more yet to be found.
"Among fish species newly-described worldwide are 122 new sharks and rays, 131 new members of the goby family and a new barracuda found in the Mediterranean," per the WoRMS press release.
The total known fish species in the world's water bodies is now 18,000.
WoRMS reports that the list of 1,000 new fish species include the ruby red sea dragon Phyllopteryx dewysea, which is found in southern Australia. The sea dragon was added to the list recently after DNA comparison with two more species of sea dragon.
The list of marine species includes small seaweeds as well as big creatures such as whales. The report suggests that between 500,000 and 2 million multi-celled marine organisms are still yet to be discovered.
Experts suggest that deep sea marine life remains largely unknown. Many sea creatures may go extinct due to climate change, pollution and acidification even before they are identified by humans.
Along with the discovery of the new species, WoRMS scientists have also deducted about 190,000 marine species from its list. Scientists suggest that many species were slashed from the list as they were duplicates. WoRMS scientists suggest that a sea snail was recorded in their list with about 113 descriptions. The latest cut brings the total marine species to 228,450 to nearly 419,000.
Scientists reveal that deep regions and tropical coral reefs are one of the most promising sites to find new marine species. The Atlantic and the Pacific oceans are still relatively explored but the Indian Ocean remains widely unexplored.
Scientists also revealed that marine life has big economic potential. Some marine species, such as those of mollusks and sponges, can yield several cancer-fighting agents.
Photo: Patrik Nygren | Flickr
