|
¡@
Researcher finds new species of fish at
food market
A researcher from the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium got a
surprise when buying fish from a local market, finding three fish from a
previously unclassified species. After getting confirmation from foreign
researchers, it was confirmed that the fish were indeed a new branch of the
sandperch family, leaving other researchers astonished at the discovery.
When Ho Hsuan-ching took up his position at the institute in September he was
unfamiliar with the Hengchun Peninsula, so he went to Hengchun Market to learn
more about the local lifestyle and products. It was there that he happened to
pass a stand selling fish, a field in which he takes a personal and professional
interest. But when he scooped out a few fish to take home, he had no inkling of
the discovery he was about to make.
An excited Ho said that his discovery was completely unintentional. The
parapercis shaoi, which is commonly spotted in the waters around the Hengchun
Peninsula, shares its name ¡X Shao ¡X with that of Ho¡¦s teacher, and he is very
familiar with this type of fish. Ho assumed that the fish at the fish stand were
also parapercis shaoi as they are commonly caught off Erluanbi, but the more he
looked at the fish, the more he became aware of the differences. When he took
them back to his lab for a closer inspection he realized they were a completely
different kind of fish.
Although the species are similar in shape and color, the new species of perch
has different kinds of spots on the body and black spots on the tail. Ho said he
emailed his findings to an aquatic expert in Hawaii who confirmed that the fish
were indeed a newly identified species.
Ho said he had never thought of visiting a market in the past, but he managed to
find a new species by doing so. He added that this is an experience he will not
forget as long as he lives. He also urged the government to protect marine
resources, because there are lots of undiscovered treasures hidden beneath the
sea.
(Liberty Times, TRANSLATED BY TAIJING WU)
¡@
|
