Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium conducted joint surveys with the Okinawa Prefectural Fisheries Research and Extension Center and successfully collected the rarely-found deep-sea crab Lamoha williamsi. This is the world’s first exhibit of a live specimen of this species.
 

ウィリアムホモラ
Lamoha williamsi  (Takeda, 1980)

Since its discovery at a depth of 520 meters off the Kyushu-Palau Ridge in 1980, there have been few reports on this species, so knowledge of its ecology is limited. The tips of its fourth ambulatory legs have a distinctive shape like pincers.

From November 6th to 8th 2023, staff from our facility joined a fisheries survey on the Tonan Maru fishery survey boat conducted by the Okinawa Prefectural Fisheries Research and Extension Center. This species was collected using a basket at a depth of 850 meters. This is the second discovery of this species in Japanese waters, the previous case was 43 years ago. Specimens of this species had only been collected from the Mariana Ridge and Kyushu-Palau Ridge at depths from 520 meters to 677 meters, with this being the world’s first exhibit of a live specimen. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, through rearing and surveys will continue to shed light on the ecology of this species and the biodiversity of creatures in the waters surrounding Okinawa Prefecture.

Place of exhibit

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium "Small Life in the Deep Sea"

Number of exhibit

Two individuals  (Water temperature of the exhibit: 5℃)

Exhibit duration

November 21th 2023～
*Exhibit may close depending on the condition of the animals.