Scientists are going to name a new species of fish in the name of the U.S. President Barack Obama. The fish has been found in Papahānaumokuākea marine National Monument, just off the coast of Hawaii, where millions of seabirds, endangered monk seals, endangered turtles, and over 7,000 species are living. However, the official name of the fish will not come into affectuntil later this year. This is being done as away of saying thank you to Obama for his efforts to protect marine environment in the Pacific region. Moreover, this is not the first time that a species has been named on the name of Obama; initially, scientists named the Orange Speckled Freshwater Darter commonly found in the Tennessee River as Etheostoma Obama in the year 2012.
Expansion of Papahānaumokuākea
Obama expanded Papahānaumokuākea; thereby, making the area, one of the largest areas of protected water on Earth. Obama has increased the size of Papahānaumokuākeato more than four times its original size to protect marine life habitats, reefs, and other such resources.
The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument was created in June 2006 having about 140,000 square miles of area. With the help of expansion, 442,781 square miles will be added to the monument; thereby, encompassing a total of 582,578 square miles of ocean waters having ten islands.Most of the monument is composed of pelagic as well as deepwater habitats having some of the most notable features such as seamounts, submerged banks, lagoons, and large coral reefs.
About the fish
The fish was discovered about 300 feet deep in the waters off Kure Atoll during a research trip on June, 2016. A marine biologist, Richard Pyle was underwater, when he saw a group of previously unknown fish. He took male specimen for further analysis, and female specimen was obtained a few weeks later by Brian Greene, who was a Bishop Museum affiliate.
This newly found fish is the one known fish to live in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and has been fitted in the genus Tosanoides. It is a new species – initially, the members of the genusTosanoides was only seen outside of Japanese water.
The fish is maroon and gold in nature. Male of the fish has circular red spot ringed with blue on the dorsal fins. Scientists said that the particular coloration of the fish reminded them of the campaign logo of Obama.
