Nine new species for Tasmania's disappearing handfish family

ScienceDaily (2010-05-23) -- Nine new species of handfish have been described by Australian scientists in research that highlights an urgent need to better understand and protect the diversity of life in Australia's oceans. The review brings the family to 14 known species -- six found only in Tasmania and one known from only one specimen possibly collected in Tasmania by early European explorers, yet not recorded since. It also deepens concerns about declining populations of some handfishes.