HONOLULU – Researchers on a three-week mission to the remote French Frigate Shoals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands discovered 100 species never seen in the area before, including many that may be entirely new to science.
“There were lots of organisms that people were saying, ‘Wow! What’s that?’” said Joel Martin, a zoologist for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
Researchers returned from the voyage Sunday with at least 1,000 species of invertebrates, including worms, crabs and sea stars. About 160 unique species of seaweed were also found. Among the discoveries are multicolored worms; a bright purple, foot-long sea star; and a hermit crab that dons a sea anemone and sports shiny golden claws.
California: Fifth firefighter dies
A fifth U.S. Forest Service firefighter died of burns suffered when an engine crew was overrun by a Southern California wildfire blamed on arson, authorities said. Pablo Cerda, 23, of Fountain Valley died at 5:08 p.m. Tuesday at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, the San Bernardino National Forest supervisor said. Cerda was burned over 90 percent of his body Thursday as he and the crew tried to protect a home from wind-driven flames. Three other crew members died at the scene and his captain died soon after at a hospital. Meanwhile, authorities arrested a Beaumont man Tuesday who is suspected of intentionally starting two other wildfires this summer and is being questioned in the deadly blaze near Cabazon.
Kentucky: Strip-search acquittal
A Florida man was acquitted Tuesday on charges he impersonated a policeman during a phone call to a McDonald’s restaurant and talked the managers into strip-searching and sexually abusing an 18-year-old female employee. David Stewart, 38, was acquitted on charges of impersonating a police officer, soliciting sodomy and soliciting sexual abuse. Prosecutors said he called a Louisville-area McDonald’s in 2004 and instructing a manager to strip-search the employee to prove she had not stolen from the restaurant.
AWOL soldier returns from Canada
A soldier who fled to Canada rather than accept a second tour in Iraq turned himself over to military authorities at Fort Knox on Tuesday, his attorney said. Kyle Snyder, a former combat engineer, left the U.S. in April 2005 while on leave. He said he worked as a welder and at a children’s health clinic in Canada.
Florida: Hubble repair mission OK’d
NASA will send a space shuttle to repair the 16-year-old Hubble Space Telescope, agency administrator Michael Griffin said, reversing his predecessor’s decision. The announcement was greeted eagerly by astronomers who feared Hubble would deteriorate before the end of the decade without new sensors and other upgrades.
Nuisance alligator restriction studied
Florida wildlife officials are considering removing alligators from a list of protected imperiled species and letting homeowners deal with nuisance alligators themselves. Officials estimate the state has as many as 2 million alligators. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will consider the change in December.
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