Rare Ruby seadragon uncovered in WA
A new species of seadragon has been discovered off the coast of Western Australia by researchers at the Western Australian Museum.
The bright red Ruby Seadragon (Phyllopteryx dewysea) is only the third species of seadragon ever recorded in the world.
Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the discovery was nearly 100 years in the making after the first recorded seadragon specimen was washed up on Cottesloe Beach in 1919.
“For many years the specimen found in Cottesloe and another subsequent find were thought to be a common seadragon,” Mr Day said.
But through a combination of modern DNA sampling technology and research linking it to other specimens, the Ruby Seadragon was shown to be a new species. It was identified and classified by WA Museum scientist Dr Nerida Wilson and her colleagues.
“This is an amazing find in Western Australian waters and clearly shows the value of our museum collections in informing current and future scientific research.”
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