Environment Current Affairs December 4th Week 2021
Rare Pink Handfish:
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) of Australia discovered a rare pink handfish near the Tasmanian coast after 22 years of searching. The last sighting of the fish was in 1999.
Highlights:
- In February 2021, Australian marine researchers photographed the seabed in Tasman Fracture Marine Park with an underwater camera. Later, while reviewing the footage, they discovered the pink handfish.
- The Taman Fracture Marine Park is famous for its deep crack in the earth`s crust that allows scientists to study marine life up to 4,000 metres below the surface.
- Pink handfish were previously thought to be restricted to shallow waters. However, this time it was discovered at a depth of 150 metres.
Handfish
- Handfish are anglerfish from the family Brachionichthyidae. There are five genera and fourteen living species in this family.
- These benthic marine fish are known for propelling themselves by walking on the seafloor rather than swimming.
- Handfish can currently be found in the coastal waters of southern, eastern, and Tasmanian Australia.
- They are scientifically known as Latin brachium. The species was given the name `handfish` because of the small hand-like structure that they use to walk on the seafloor.
- Handfishes have small populations and a restricted range. As a result, they are extremely vulnerable to disruption.
- The endangered species list includes critically endangered species. Handfish can grow to be 15 cm long.
- They have denticles on their skin, which has earned them the moniker "warty anglers." They are a slow-moving fish species.
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Environment Current Affairs December 4th Week 2021