CLOSE

Topics

  1. HOME
  2. Topics
  3. So many clones! The world’s first exhibition of multiplying Isohalcurias malum

2023.10.18

So many clones! The world’s first exhibition of multiplying Isohalcurias malum

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is happy to announce the world’s first exhibit of the sea anemone Isohalcurias malum and its clones.

Isohalcurias malum
≪リンゴカワリギンチャク≫
Scientific name：Isohalcurias malum

In Japanese waters this sea anemone is found at depths between 200 m and 375 m off of Urakami in Wakayama Prefecture, Kagoshima Prefecture, and Kume Island, Okinawa Prefecture.It was described as a new species in June 2023. Malum, part of its scientific name, is the Latin word apple. Ringo, part of the Japanese name, is the Japanese word for apple. This yellow and red color of this species reminds people of apples. The yellow part of the body wall fluoresces yellow under blue light.


This species is able to divide at its pedal disc, and after splitting, these small sea anemones move away and grow.

The Isohalcurias malum on exhibit was collected during a deep-sea survey from the Toyoshio Maru, a training ship of the Hiroshima University. It was collected in May, 2019, at a depth of around 300 m, west of Amami Island.
The Isohalcurias malum’s pedal disc had torn off, but for the first time in the world, growth from asexual reproduction was confirmed at the torn area, during captive rearing at our aquarium. Through asexual reproduction, over 20 new clones had formed from the single pedal disc. Over the course of 4 years, the 10 individuals of Isohalcurias malum that our facility received, have increased to more than 200 individuals.
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium will continue to conduct deep-sea surveys in the waters near Okinawa, and shed light on the ecology of rare deep-sea creatures through rearing and exhibiting.

Place of exhibit

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium  "Small Life in the Deep Sea"

Size of Exhibit

25 individuals about 5mm～100mm length
※Exhibit may close depending on the condition of the animals.