Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium identified a sea urchin species for the first time in the Ryukyu Islands. A scientific paper has been published with collaboration from Hayate Tanaka of Tokyo University Graduate School and Dr. Toshihiko Fujita from the National Museum of Nature and science, Tokyo.
This is the first time this species has been exhibited in Japan.

≪Yamigangaze (Japanese name)≫
Scientific name：Eremopyga denudata

This sea urchin is found at depths from 70 to 400 meters in the Timor Sea, Philippines and Bali. In Japan, this species had been found in Shibushi Bay in Kagoshima Prefecture, however there were no records of water depth nor its form. This is the first detailed record of individuals collected in Japan. Its Japanese name was proposed as Yamigangaze, Yami means darkness, and this species usually lives in dark places.

Place of exhibit

Small Life in the Deep Sea in the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Size of Exhibit

ヤミガンガゼ Two individuals

Exhibit duration

Until the end of May 2019 (Currently Scheduled)
※Exhibit may close depending on the condition of the animal.

The individuals exhibited were found and gathered using a ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) at a depth of around 200 meters offshore of Onna Village in Okinawa Prefecture during deep-sea creature surveys in June 2017, and August 2018. By observing them in the deep-sea using the ROV and observing them in the aquarium, the habitat of the species, its feeding habits, and its symbiosis with siphamia cardinalfish has been discovered. We hope to shed light on the ecology of rare deep-sea creatures through continued rearing and by conducting surveys in the waters around Okinawa.