Ruby Seadragon Stirs the Ocean Bed and Adds a New Concept to the Seadragon Theory

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Jan 13, 2017 10:54 AM EST

Intense red, elusive and cryptic seadragon is shown in the algal reefs of the ocean. The creature is way different than previously thought. A new footage of the marine animal shows its habitat different than the similar kind of creatures.

The footage was obtained by fixing a low-light camera in a remotely controlled vehicle because it lives at the depth of more than 50 meters deep.

The film, though not crystal clear yet pretty describing suggests that ruby seadragon is strikingly red and looks mysterious.

Until the discovery of ruby dragon, no one had the faintest idea that third specie of seadragon is also living under the sea, said the lead author of the study Professor Greg Rouse from Scripps Oceanography, reports Mail Online.

This specie called "Phyllopteryx dewysea" is just the third kind of dragons from the sea that has come to human knowledge. Scripps Institution of Oceanography researchers and the Western Australian Museum had described the dragon specie in 2015 but it was misidentified and was considered a common seadragon according to Eurek Alert.

Now, the new discovery comes as a highly valuable addition to the great collection at the museum. The previously known dragon was a leafy dragon with an orange and green hue on its body. It had an easily recognizable leafy appearance.

The deep red color hints at the habits of dragon who lives very deep where the light effects are weak. For effective camouflage, the shades of creatures go darker and darker when the depth of the sea increases.

The first of its kind seadragon was washed ashore on Cottesloe Beach in 1919 but was just considered as a common seadragon, which has yellow and purple hues.

Scientists and researchers are hopeful that the new species of seadragon will help the studies in regard of marine life and its different habitats.

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