New marine life and plant species in Australia

Studies uncover new marine life, plant species
A three-year study by a team of scientists has discovered several new species of marine life off Western Australia's south coast.
Two volumes of the research, due to be launched in Perth today, provide extensive documentation on the underwater plants and animals found near Esperance.
Department of Fisheries researcher and co-editor Fred Wells says the information will be invaluable for future planning.
However, Dr Wells says there are still many new species to discover and more research needs to be done.
"One of the basic tools of modern science is, in fact, conserving bio-diversity and Western Australia is a hotspot of terrestrial biodiversity in the south-west," he said.
"We also have a world-class hotspot of coral reef biodiversity and in understanding what that biodiversity is, is the first step in conserving and looking after it.
Meanwhile, an environmental survey of the Pilbara, in the state's north-west, has uncovered seven new species of wattle, one of which will be named after a Karratha botanist.
Stephen Van Leeuwen has worked in the Pilbara for 20 years and did a lot of the groundwork for the three-year study which identified the new species.
The wattle to be named after him, acacia leeuweniana grows on granite outcrops in only two places in the Pilbara.
However, Dr Leeuwen says he never expected such an honour.
"We never expect to get something named after us, but it's a reward for the effort, I guess ... a great accolade, I guess, and privilege to have that happen, and [I'm] pretty chuffed," he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200602/s1566992.htm