An underwater photo of Bairdium iriomotejiaensis, a new genus and species of soft coral described from Iriomote Island, Japan. The coral looks a little like tiny, white laced blossoms. A caption explains: "In a rare breakthrough for coral research, the team also identified a new genus and species from Japan (Bairdium iriomotejimaensis) ..." The photo is credited as being by Stefano Borghi.

An underwater photo of the soft coral Hicksonia tohrui from Iriomote Island, Japan. The coral looks a little like tiny, white laced blossoms. A caption explains: "... as well as an entirely new coral family (Hicksoniidae), which includes a new species found in Western Australia and Japan." The photo is credited as being by Andrew Baird.

This research has led to a major rethink of #CoralClassification across the Indo-Pacific.

The team also identified a new genus and species from Japan (Bairdium iriomotejimaensis), as well as an entirely new coral family (Hicksoniidae).

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