New species of coral found in Galapagos

Coral from the genera Hydrozoanthus, believed to be new to the Galapagos and science. The reefs support thousands of species, including many rare and endemic corals Photograph: PR

Parazoanthus coral species new to science and the Galapagos. The three-year project was the most comprehensive study undertaken to date in the remote northern Galapagos island using innovative mapping and rapid assessment techniques Photograph: PR

Pacifigorgia coral was found by the team for the first time in the Galapagos. The coral reefs of the Galapagos islands contribute significantly to species richness and diversity in the Galapagos Marine Reserve Photograph: PR

Gardineroseris planulata coral, thought to have become extinct during 1997-98, but the project rediscovered several separate but small colonies at the Wolf and Darwin island sites Photograph: PR

Darwin algae growing on coral at the Darwin island site Photograph: PR

Muricea coral. These reef ecosystems are major biodiversity hotspots with remarkable numbers of sharks, tuna, turtles, and dolphins all ecologically linked to the area’s reef complexes Photograph: PR

An anemone found at Marchena island in the Galapagos Photograph: PR

Gorgonian anemone. The project also engaged the fishing and tourism industries for improved management of the marine environment through tourism, dive guides and fishers, and established permanent mooring buoys to avoid boat anchor damage Photograph: PR

A nudibranch, a form of marine mollusc, also known as a 'sea slug'. There are more than 3,000 species of nudibranch. This one rests against brightly coloured coral at the Wolf island site Photograph: PR

A spiny lobster photographed at the Wolf island site Photograph: PR

Zebra moray eel also photographed on the expeditions Photograph: PR