Scientific expedition in the Kermadecs - species new to NZ

Scientific expedition in the Kermadecs discovers species new to NZ

The first zebra lionfish ever recorded in New Zealand has been discovered in the Kermadec Islands by a team of New Zealand and Australian scientists.

Zebra lionfish – scientific name Dendrochirus zebra – are brilliantly coloured with zebra-like patterning on their scales, fins and tail.

At the end of the first week of a three-week expedition lead by Auckland Museum, the expedition team believe the lionfish is likely to be just one of several new species they have collected.

“We have almost certainly already collected new species but we just don't know it yet,” says Auckland Museum marine curator Tom Trnski.

"The other night we found an eel that none of the fish experts on the boat can identify – so it could possibly be a new species but we won't know that until we get back from the expedition and can send it to an eel expert to confirm its identity.

"Every dive we make has the possibility of finding creatures new to the Kermadecs, new to New Zealand and even new to science.”

Daily discoveries from the Kermadecs expedition can be followed at http://kermadec.aucklandmuseum.com

The expedition team includes researchers from Auckland Museum, Te Papa, the Department of Conservation, NIWA and Australian Museum and Trnski says it is an incredible privilege to be part of this scientific journey.

"We live for it. Expeditions like this are real highlights for biologists – an opportunity to go somewhere new, see things from the point of view of an entire eco-system and to get a different perspective from the usual one we have working on individual species in a lab or at the computer.”

Trnski says the marine life observed by the team so far reflects a truly unique marine environment.

"What amazes me is that the marine life here is a real mix of temperate and tropical, a unique blend that I haven't experienced anywhere else in the world.

"We have seen everything from whales to tiny plankton. The waters here are rich in many kinds of fishes including the protected spotted black grouper – some up to 1.5 metres long – and Galapagos sharks, both of which are fearless and curious.

"It feels like the tropics in terms of how clear the water is, plus there are a few corals but at the same time there are invertebrates which are more typical of northern New Zealand rocky reefs.” The Kermadec Islands are located 1000km north east of New Zealand and have been protected as a “no-take marine reserve” for more than 20 years.

Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve is New Zealand’s largest marine reserve covering 7450 square kilometres.

The expedition team will return to New Zealand in two weeks.
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