New species discovered in Manx waters

Manx Wildlife Trust praises work of volunteers

Two new species of isopods have been found in Manx waters for the first time.

Dynamene bidentata and Jaera prachirsuta were found in February of this year in Castletown by snorkeller, Sue Harvey.

Sue volunteers for Seasearch, a project that encourages scuba divers and snorkellers to record and report the species and habitats they see whilst they are out enjoying the marine environment.

Lara Howe is the Manx Wildlife Trust's Marine Officer.

She says the work of volunteers is vital for making new discoveries: