Researchers from the California Academy of Sciences said that they have called the attention of Philippine authorities to hasten the protection and preservation of some 300 new species discovered within the Philippine seas.

Dr. Terrence Gosliner of the academy said he and his team found rare marine during nearly every dive and hike as [they] surveyed the country's reefs, rainforests, and the ocean floor." In this expedition, they found the marine species off the coastal waters of the island of Luzon.

He noted that there could be more species to be discovered, however, the biodeversity and ecosystem balance in the Luzon Island where the species where found are exposed to daily degradation and needs some form of preservation and commitment from government authorities.

They presented the new species to the Philippine environment department and made recommendations how the preservation of the country's wildlife can be done.

He added that many of these areas in the Philippines and in other areas in the Asia-Pacific Region are facing habitat loss and degradation, thus putting undiscovered species in danger of being wiped out.

Philippine environment authorities are  fighting the illegal export and poaching of endangered species in its shores. It recently seized some rare corals about to be exported by a Chinese trader.

Rare Species

The Philippine seas off in the coastal waters of the island of Luzon had revealed 300 new marine species that need to be protected and preserved, according to a biological expedition conducted by the California Academy of Sciences.

Researchers from the California Academy of Sciences said the new species discovered include insects, spiders, corals, sea pens, sea urchins, sea stars, "colourful" sea slugs, and more, a statement said.

Among some of the more interesting new species include a swell shark that eats shrimp, a cicada that makes a "laughing" call, a starfish that only eats sunken driftwood, and a crab with needle-like teeth on its pincers.

The findings will be confirmed through microscopes and DNA sequencing in the coming months.

Dr. Terrence Gosliner of the academy said he found "new species during nearly every dive and hike as [they] surveyed the country's reefs, rainforests, and the ocean floor."

Scientists believe 90 percent of the species on planet earth have not yet been discovered by humans. These undiscovered species are concentrated in areas of great biodiversity, according to ScienceDaily.

Researchers will present their preliminary results in a gathering in San Francisco, CA for the first time on June 30, during the Academy's weekly NightLife event.

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