“It is awe-inspiring to know that so much of what we see has not yet been described,” says Patricia Hendricks, who took part in the expedition. That is a trip with a specific goal. “The reef is truly a beautiful place with so many mysteries.”

　　Scientists wanted to get a closer look at some of the underwater cities’ lesser-known residents — soft coral. Using netted bags and their hands, the scientists searched the reefs. They found about 130 types of soft coral that may be new species. A lot is known about hard coral, but soft coral is more of a mystery. The creatures are very diverse, or varied. Some are shaped like bushes or fans. Others are whips that twist with the currents. They grow in a rainbow of colors. Despite the variety, some types of soft coral look very similar to one another. “This makes them a challenge to study, and so very little is known about them,” Hendricks told WR News. She and other researchers took samples of the soft coral. The scientists also zeroed in on what was living in and around the coral. They hope to identify the new species.

　　The reef research isn’t done yet. The scientists plan to return to the same three spots annually for the next six years. They left 36 plastic “houses” stuck to the ocean floor. The scientists hope some of the coral reefs’ residents will move into the houses over time. That will make it easier for scientists to study the creatures on future trips.

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