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2019.12.11

Discovery of a new species! The world’s first exhibit of the Churaumi actinernid sea anemone

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has discovered a new species of sea anemone, and have published a scientific paper on the newly recorded species with the cooperation of Takato Izumi from The University of Tokyo Graduate School, Professor Takuma Fujii from the Kagoshima University Research Center for the Pacific Islands, Professor Kensuke Yanagi from the Coastal Branch of the Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba and Professor Toshihiko Fujita from the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo.
We are proud to announce the world’s first exhibit of this species.

Churaumi actinernid sea anemone

≪Churaumi actinernid sea anemone≫
Scientific name:Synactinernus churaumi

In 1918, the anemone Synactinernus flavus was discovered and it had remained the only known species of its genus for 101 years. Synactinernus churaumi, the newly discovered species of sea anemone is in the same genus as Synactinernus flavus, but grows 3 to 5 times larger, has twice as many tentacles (300-400) and its oral disc has eight complete lobes. It was therefore recognized as a new species.

Place of exhibit

Small Life in the Deep Sea in the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Size of Exhibit

Seven individuals about 20cm in length
*Exhibit may close depending on the condition of the animals

    • ROV

      ROV used for collection

    • Churaumi actinernid sea anemone

      Colonies in water depth near 320m

This new species record is based on the individual collected in September 2018 with the Churashima Foundation’s ROV (remotely operated vehicle) at a depth of 320 meters off the coast of Onna Village in Okinawa.
Using the ROV, successful observations were recorded of this species living in its natural habitat amongst the rocks on the sea floor with good tidal flow, revealing some of its ecology.
We hope to continue surveying the waters of Okinawa, and through rearing, shed light on the ecology of rare deep-sea creatures.

Inquiries

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

905-0206
424 Ishikawa, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
TEL:+81-980-48-3748 FAX:+81-980-48-4444

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