Science and Research

Researchers Make New Discoveries in the Monument – Photos

An unidentified species of sea urchin in the genus <em>Diadem</em>a, photographed at 280 feet at French Frigate Shoals.

An unidentified species of sea urchin in the genus Diadema, photographed at 280 feet at French Frigate Shoals. Experts say this is probably a new species, completely new to science and never before photographed or collected. It is a close relative of the shallow-water wana, or long-spined sea urchin (Diadema paucispinum). Credit: NOAA and Robert Whitton/Bishop Museum

Struhsaker’s Damselfish (<em>Chromis struhsakeri</em>), photographed at 280 feet at Pearl and Hermes Atoll.

Struhsaker’s Damselfish (Chromis struhsakeri), photographed at 280 feet at Pearl and Hermes Atoll. This is a rare deep-water coral reef fish known from submersible observations but never before seen or photographed by divers. It is a Hawaiian endemic (only found in Hawaiʻi). Credit: NOAA and Richard Pyle/Bishop Museum

NOAA scientific diver Brian Hauk photographs the bottom at 250 feet at Pearl and Hermes Atoll. The photographs will be analyzed to document coverage of the bottom by deep-water corals and algae. Hauk is surrounded by a school of thick-lipped jack (Pseudocaranx cheilio), better known to fishermen as the butaguchi ulua. Credit: NOAA and Richard Pyle/Bishop Museum

NOAA divers Jason Leonard and Daniel Wagner descend to a deep ledge at 250 ft. at Pearl and Hermes Atoll. Credit: NOAA and Richard Pyle/Bishop Museum

The Hawaiian Pigfish (<em>Bodianus bathycapros</em>) is a rare deep-water fish, previously known only from submersible observations and never before seen or photographed by divers.

The Hawaiian Pigfish (Bodianus bathycapros) is a rare deep-water fish, previously known only from submersible observations and never before seen or photographed by divers. It is a Hawaiian endemic (only found in Hawaiʻi), and is a close relative of the shallower water aʻawa or Hawaiian Hogfish (Bodianus albotaeniata). Credit: NOAA and Richard Pyle/Bishop Museum

A probable new species of wrasse in the genus <em>Suezichthys</em>, photographed at 180 feet at Pearl and Hermes Atoll.

A probable new species of wrasse in the genus Suezichthys, photographed at 180 feet at Pearl and Hermes Atoll. Credit: NOAA and Richard Pyle/Bishop Museum

Bleached coral (<em>Montipora flabellata</em>) at Lisianski Island.

Bleached coral (Montipora flabellata) at Lisianski Island. The lavender-colored coral (Montipora flabellata) in the center retained its normal healthy pigmentation. All of the pale coral surrounding it is bleached. Credit: NOAA and Courtney Couch/Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology

Bleached coral (<em>Montipora dilatata</em>) at Lisianski Island.

Bleached coral (Montipora dilatata) at Lisianski Island. The lavender-colored coral in the left foreground retained its normal healthy pigmentation; all of the pale coral surrounding it is bleached due to thermal stress. Credit: NOAA and Courtney Couch/Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology

An unidentified brown algae photographed at 280 feet off Lisianski Island, possibly in the genus <em>Sporochnus</em>.

An unidentified brown algae photographed at 280 feet off Lisianski Island, possibly in the genus Sporochnus. It may be a new record for the Hawaiian Islands (not recorded here before), or possibly a completely new species which was previously unknown to science. Credit: NOAA and Richard Pyle/Bishop Museum

An unidentified red algae photographed at 280 feet off Lisianski Island. It may represent a new record for the Hawaiian Islands (not recorded here before), or possibly a completely new species which was previously unknown to science. Credit: NOAA and Richard Pyle/Bishop Museum

A new species of sea cucumber in the genus <em>Stichopus</em>.

A new species of sea cucumber in the genus Stichopus. Credit: NOAA and Robert Whitton/Bishop Museum

Researchers Make New Discoveries in the Monument – Photos

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