A new species of sea creature, named Nudibranchs, was recently confirmed in Australia, 16 years after it was first observed. Previously mistaken for sea slugs due to early shedding of shells, the soft-bodied organisms are distinguished from other species on the basis of size, anatomy, colouring and distribution and have been nicknamed “butterflies of the sea”.
- This week, a new species will be added to the list, after a competition by the WA Museum and ABC Radio National’s Off Track program as part of National Science Week. The competition offers the public the chance of a lifetime to contribute to the new species name, in what is believed to be an Australian first.
- Previously mistaken as Moridilla brockii, the species was confirmed to be completely new to science after recent scrutiny by WA Museum Aquatic Zoology Senior Research Scientist Dr Nerida Wilson, with help from Spanish nudibranch expert Dr Leila Carmona.
Dr Wilson was first dazzled by the colourful creature while scuba diving the Dampier Archipelago, about 1550kms north of Perth, in 2000.
