A joint research group led by Vice Director Masanori Nonaka of the Okinawa Churashima Foundation Research Institute, and researchers from the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Tokyo announced that coral specimens collected off the east coast of Okinawa Island during deep-sea biological surveys in 2013 have been identified as a new species. Their findings were published in Species Diversity, the English-language journal of the Japanese Society of Systematic Zoology, on August 7.
The new coral species was discovered during deep-sea biological surveys that also included specimen collection for exhibition at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, operated by the Foundation. It is believed to inhabit the deep sea at a depth of 860 meters.
The coral is characterized by cylindrical, elongated polyps (individual coral organisms) and lives in the deep sea where light does not reach, lacking symbiotic algae. It forms branch-like structures through polyp proliferation and feeds on plankton that flows by. Genetic analysis confirmed it belongs to the genus Hemicorallium. It is described as a species closely related to precious corals such as pink coral (Corallium elatius).
The new species differs from all previously recorded species in its regularly spreading branch bifurcation on a single plane, the color of its coenenchyme and polyps, and the size and shape of sclerites within the tissue, confirming its status as a new species. It was named "Ryukyu coral" due to its beautiful red color and well-formed branching pattern.
Nonaka commented: "The coral that we have now identified as a new species was found by chance when it got caught on survey lines during our research. There are still many unknown species remaining in the deep waters around Okinawa. We hope to contribute to understanding marine diversity by continuing our steady research efforts."
Journal Information
Publication: Species Diversity
Title: A New Species of the Genus Hemicorallium (Cnidaria: Octocorallia: Scleralcyonacea: Coralliidae) Collected from Okinawa Island
DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.30.193
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