英语听力：自然百科澳洲海域发现新物种

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Among the most interesting observations are ctenophores, commonly known as comb jellies or pelagic gelatinous invertebrates⁴, that give off light through bio-luminescence.

 

Squat⁵ lobsters⁶, which are not lobsters at all and are more closely related to hermit⁷ crabs⁸.

 

Pistol shrimp⁹, which use their large claw to create a sound-pressure wave strong enough to kill small fish.

 

Star fish and brilliantly colored mollusks. All living together, and some are building hidden habitats on top of the ruins of others.

 

In surveying the coral on the reefs, researchers also deploy¹⁰ new methods that will help standardize¹¹ measurements of coral reefs worldwide. Of the nearly 300 species of soft coral survey, the Census of Marine Life scientists say that up to one half is thought to be new species. Experts say the coral are not reef builders, but they do cover up to 25% of some areas at the study site and provide important habitat for other species. Despite the high distribution of soft coral around the world, it still remains¹² one of the most poorly-understood groups.

 

Doctor Ian Poiner, CEO of one of the organizations that's participating in the expedition, reports that the only way to fully¹³ understand the implications of the threats posed to coral is to establish a baseline of bio-diversity and follow up with later censuses¹⁴. Expeditions to the three sites will be repeated yearly over the course of the next three years in order to continue the census and to study the effects of the climate change and other processes over time.

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