NOWRAMP Expedition Initial Results UNIQUE HABITATS = UNIQUE SPECIES: Where scientists experienced unique and specialized habitats, they also found unique species. For example, a number of sponges, presumably ones not known to science before, were found in deep lagoon holes at Pearl and Hermes Reef. They are probably unique (endemic) to the atoll. Until now, no endemic marine invertebrate species were known to exist in Hawaii. Invertebrate scientists believe they have found numerous new species across the chain but won't be able to confirm this assumption until they complete their laboratory work.