A new species of starfish has been discovered off the coast of Japan. Thanks to the collaboration of scientists from the University of Tokyo, Enoshima Aquarium, Marine Science Museum, Fukushima Prefecture, and Yamaguchi Prefectural Fisheries Research Center, the species has been identified and named Paragonaster hoeimaruae.
This starfish belongs to the Pseudarchasteridae family and is distinguished by its red and beige coloration. It has five arms and reaches a diameter of just over 10 centimeters. The name Paragonaster hoeimaruae, specifically the “hoeimaruae” part, is derived from the fishing vessel Hoei-maru, which first collected specimens of this species. This reference aims to honor the contribution of fishermen to marine research and highlight the importance of their collaboration with scientists.
These studies, published in the Journal of Natural History, demonstrate the significance of collaboration between different sectors of science and practice in understanding the diversity of marine life. The discovery of the new starfish species, Paragonaster hoeimaruae, is also a result of cooperation between marine scientists and fishermen in Japan. The starfish were caught using shrimp and crab cages as well as bottom trawling, which allowed for the collection of samples from various depths and regions.
Previously, only four species of the Pseudarchasteridae family had been recorded in Japanese waters. The newly discovered starfish was caught at depths ranging from 150 to 350 meters in Sagami Bay, south of Tokyo, and also in the Sea of Japan, northwest of Yamaguchi. Research on species diversity in Japanese waters has also brought to light other surprising findings, such as Gephyreaster swifti, a large starfish about 30 centimeters in diameter, previously observed only on the western coast of the United States and Canada.
This discovery emphasizes how much we can still learn about marine biodiversity through coordinated efforts of scientists and marine fishermen. Moreover, it is surprising how many undiscovered species of living organisms are hidden in the seas and oceans.
Perhaps soon, the new starfish species, Paragonaster hoeimaruae, will be a common sight in our marine aquariums.
Photo source: https://www.popsci.com/environment/new-starfish/
About the author
Grzegorz Bubak
My fascination with marine aquariums began over two decades ago when I stumbled upon an article about this topic in a magazine. Since then, the underwater world has become my obsession and passion, shaping my everyday life. I started my adventure with marine aquariums with soft corals, which were my first step into this fascinating world. Over time, captivated by the diversity and beauty of SPS corals, I decided to focus on their cultivation, which continues to fill me with constant wonder.
Thanks to my experience and passion for marine aquariums, I am ready to share my knowledge and expertise with other enthusiasts in this field. I am happy to be part of the Reef Pedia community, which serves as an invaluable source of information for all marine aquarium lovers.