UK Edition
An elusive seadragon has been captured on camera for the first time in the wild off the coast of Western Australia.
The ruby seadragon, a newly discovered third species of seadragon, was observed by researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Western Australian Museum (WAM).
Two ruby seadragons were recorded for nearly 30 minutes during the expedition, helping scientists "uncover new details about their anatomy, habitat and behaviour".
They were stunned to discover that the ruby species of seadragon lack ornate leaf-like appendages, a common characteristic found in the other two known species (Common and Leafy).
"It was really quite an amazing moment," said marine biologist Josefin Stiller, co-author of the new study published in the journal Marine Biodiversity Records.
"It never occurred to me that a seadragon could lack appendages because they are characterised by their beautiful camouflage leaves."
The ruby species of seadragon was only discovered in 2015 by researchers analysing tissue samples provided by the WAM.
"Until last year, no one had ever suspected a third species of seadragon existed," explained Greg Rouse, lead author of the study.
"This discovery was made thanks to the great benefit of museum collections."
WAM’s Nerida Wilson later found a second ruby seadragon specimen that had washed up on a Perth beach nearly a hundred years ago.
“This new seadragon first entered the WAM’s collection in 1919, and lay unidentified for almost a century,” Wilson said in 2015.
“Recognising this new species demonstrates how museum collections underpin biodiversity discovery.”
After capturing the seadragon on camera, she added: "There are so many discoveries still awaiting us in southern Australia.
"Western Australia has such a diverse range of habitats, and each one is deserving of attention."
Earlier this year, a 'sliced' sea turtle was found dead on a Singapore beach.
While an endangered rhino tragically died just days after being rediscovered.