BYU–Hawaii's biology students discovered and named a new species of burrowing sea anemone, Andvakia discipulorum, from the mudflats of Kaneohe Bay in the summer of 2007.
"The name means of the students," said Roger Goodwill, professor and chair of the biology department at BYU–Hawaii. "The students in my marine biology class found it, and I thought we should name it after them. It took me until the third trip out to find it," Goodwill said.
"Had the students not had the curiosity to ask what it was, then the species would still be unknown," said Goodwill.
The species is described as "inconspicuous, being small and having a column covered with sand" (Pacific Science 2009).
Even though the species was found three to four years ago, the actual publication of the species name and its paper was published in 2009 in Pacific Science.
"Just because you find it does not mean that you get a paper then," said Goodwill. "The species had to be analyzed by a taxonomist and a paper had to be written. That takes time."
The paper, called Andvakia discipulorum: A New Species of Burrowing Sea Anemone from Hawaii with a Revision of Andvakia Danielssen 1890, was coauthored by Marymegan Daly from Ohio State University and Goodwill himself. Daly was the taxonomist for the project and helped in classifying the species.
The finding of the species has had positive effects on the biology department at BYU–Hawaii. "It has had more professional effects," said Goodwill. "We are able to be a part of more research. There is a now a new species in Saipan we are waiting on a paper for."
Photo courtesy of Roger Goodwill