The most unlikely place to discover a new species: eBay!
Scientists discovered a new species of urchin in one of the most unlikely places: eBay. The listing for this colorful shell caught the attention of Simon Coppard of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature at the National History Museum in London. When he examined it closely, he realized that they didn't belong to any known species!
Apparently, it's pretty common for sea urchins to appear on eBay listings. Collectors regularly contact zoologists asking if the real species matches the listing. This new species has unusually bright colors for the depth at which it's found.
