From the Galapagos to the Deep Sea, Cal Academy Scientists Describe 72 New Species | KQED

"What we learned was something that hadn't been reported before," Mendales said."

"The fun thing was that this thing on the Galapagos that nobody really thought was all that different turns out to be something quite unique and different genetically," Dumbacher said."

"These are the kinds of things that evolutionary biologists love to study because it tells you a lot about how selection works," Dumbacher said."

The lava heron possesses a much thicker bill than closely related herons, an adaptation for feeding among sharp volcanic rocks and hard-shelled prey. Genetic evidence indicates the lava heron is genetically distinct despite previous assumptions of similarity. Plumage varies from near charcoal gray to lighter, striped forms, which suggests either ongoing evolutionary change or the maintenance of multiple morphs through natural selection. In the Maldives, a new fish species, Plectranthias raki, was discovered about 400 feet deep in the ocean's twilight zone and is marked by red blotches and elusive behavior. Plastic pollution and fishing debris are present even at those depths.

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