What lives 10 km below the surface? A new look at life in Japan’s deepest ocean trenches

A new study in Biodiversity Data Journal provides baseline data on habitats and organism interactions in Japan’s deepest ocean trenches.

Guest blog post by Dr. Denise Swanborn

The Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre at the University of Western Australia specialises in exploring life in the most extreme parts of the ocean – the abyssal (about 3,000-6,000 meters deep) and hadal (anything deeper than 6,000 meters) zones.

Reaching these depths is not easy. It takes specialised vessels, full-ocean depth-rated equipment, and enormous coordination and planning. Months – sometimes years – of preparation all lead up to a few weeks at sea.

In 2022, during a two-month expedition funded by Caladan Oceanic and Inkfish aboard the vessel DSSV Pressure Drop, together with scientists from the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, we descended into some of the deepest places around Japan: The Japan Trench, Ryukyu Trench and Izu-Ogasawara Trench – the latter reaching nearly 10 km below the ocean’s surface.

Bathymetry of the Northwest Pacific Ocean with specific study areas labelled. Inset maps relate to individual study sites described here in: Japan Trench (A), Boso triple junction (B), Izu-Ogasawara Trench (C) and Ryukyu Trench (D), with locations of submersible dives and lander deployments indicated. All regional elevation data sourced from the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO Compilation Group 2024) and multibeam bathymetry data at study sites acquired for this study onboard DSSV Pressure Drop, which was supplemented with GEBCO data for the Ryukyu Trench (D). Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026.

Results are now available in “Faunal biodiversity of the lower abyssal and hadal zones of the Japan, Ryukyu and Izu-Ogasawara trenches (NW Pacific Ocean; 4534-9775 m)“, published in the Biodiversity Data Journal. We logged about 460 h of seafloor video footage, documenting at least 108 morphotaxa (distinct visual organism groups) between 4,534 and 9,775 m depth.

The bigger picture

We used two methods to document deep-sea life – crewed submersible transects and free-fall baited landers. This combination enabled us to build the most comprehensive visual baseline yet for abyssal and hadal megafauna in the Northwest Pacific to date.

  • The submersible ‘Limiting factor’ before the expedition launch. Photo credit to Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.
  • The ‘Limiting Factor’ submersible descending. Photo credit to Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.
  • The submersible observed from the lander. Photo credit to Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish, Caladan Oceanic.

Subduction trenches, such as the Japan Trench, Ryukyu Trench, and Izu-Ogasawara Trench, are the planet’s deepest geological features. They are formed by the process of subduction, in which one tectonic plate is forced beneath another. Although this movement is slow on human timescales – cms per year – over millions of years, it carves long, narrow depressions in the seafloor that reach extreme depths, reshaping entire ocean basins.

These subduction zones are also known for major seismic events, such as earthquakes, which can trigger submarine landslides, remobilising sediment and rapidly transporting material into the trenches.

The trenches we studied are situated along some of the most tectonically active margins on Earth. Combined with the effects of depth, high hydrostatic pressure, near-freezing temperatures, and lack of sunlight, life in subduction trenches is shaped by a remarkable combination of forces. Understanding biodiversity in these systems, therefore, also means consideration of the unique environmental context that has shaped the ecosystems observed today.

Why this study matters

Videos from the submersible data collected in the Japan Trench in 2022. Video credit to Inkfish, Caladan Oceanic and The University of Western Australia.

Historically, our understanding of abyssal and hadal ecosystems, including those associated with subduction features, relied largely on trawls and physical samples. While these methods provide essential information, they can damage fragile organisms and rarely capture behaviour or ecological context.

Although observing them in their own habitat is still rare, image-based identification is central to biodiversity science at extreme depths. But without illustrated guides, consistent identification is difficult, often leaving researchers like ourselves with limited reference material.

So, this study was not simply about observing deep-sea organisms, but also aimed to establish a foundation for future research at these depths. With the help of taxonomic experts worldwide, we wanted to create baseline biodiversity data for the region at these depths – information that can inform imagery-based surveys and targeted specimen collection on subsequent expedition.

What did we see?

The submersible surveys enabled us to traverse different habitats and observe animals in their natural environment. Just as importantly, the submersible dives allowed us to record behaviour – something that remains poorly documented at these depths.

  • Bassozetus sp. at a 6,600 m depth.
    Bassozetus sp. at a 6,600 m depth. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.
  • Snailfish and Eurythenes sp., feeding off the baited lander at 7,500 m depth.
    Snailfish and Eurythenes sp., feeding off the baited lander at 7,500 m depth. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.

Among the most striking encounters were dense aggregations of stalked crinoids at 9,137 m (forming a “crinoid meadow”), with hundreds of individuals anchored to rocks and terraces. We also observed carnivorous sponges at nearly 10 km depth, and filter-feeding isopods perched along rock edges.

  • Crinoid meadow at a 9300 m depth.
    Crinoid meadow at a 9,300 m depth. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.
  • Crinoid on a rock at a 9,100 m depth. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.
  • Isopods at a 7,500 m depth.
    Isopods at a 7,500 m depth. Credit to Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.
  • Supergiant amphipod and Pseudoliparis fish at 7,000 m depth. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.

Meanwhile, baited landers revealed a different side of the ecosystem: the mobile scavenger and predator communities. They are deployed from the surface and free-fall to the seabed.

Once settled, they record everything that approaches the bait – mostly crustaceans and fish. We caught footage of supergiant amphipods (Alicella gigantea), predatory amphipods hunting smaller prey, and perhaps most excitingly, a snailfish feeding at depths down to 8,336 m – the deepest in-situ observation of a fish to date.

Macrouridae species and snailfish feeding on the baited lander at a 7,300 m depth. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceaninc.

Together, these two approaches revealed complementary parts of the same system and show that the hadal environment supports a remarkable diversity of life, with organisms highly adapted to conditions considered extreme by human standards.

Rarities and mysteries

Video footage of the mysterious organism. Footage credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceanic.

Even with high-definition footage and international taxonomic expertise, some animals remain enigmatic. Twice, we filmed a slow-gliding animal that we have not been able to confidently assign to any phylum. Some thought they looked like nudibranchs, others like sea cucumbers, but nobody could agree.

Foraminifera (Monothalamea). A, B Clusters associated with metal debris; C clusters associated with wood debris; D dense localised patches; E clusters not associated with foreign objects; F patch of xenophyophore-like spherical structures. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026

Then there were xenophyophores: giant, single-celled organisms that build elaborate homes out of sediment. While a few morphotypes could be identified, the overall diversity and number of species remain uncertain.

Are the studied trenches the same?

@pensoft.publishers

😯Fascinating new #study recorded 108 morphotaxa from 4,500m down to the #hadal depths of 9,775m, revealing the hidden life of the NW Pacific trenches. 🎥They analyzed 460 hours of video from landers & submersibles across the Japan, Ryukyu, and Izu-Ogasawara trenches. 👇Full study here: https://doi.org/10.3897 /BDJ.14.e182172 📗You can read all about it on Pensoft’s blog 👇 https://blog.pensoft.net/2026/04/06/what-lives-10-km-below-the-surface-a-new-look-at-life-in-japans-deepest-ocean-trenches/ Research center: Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre. Main funders of the expedition: Inkfish, Caladan Oceanic #deepsea #sciencetok #research

♬ THE MOON – Camargguinho

One of the most exciting aspects of this study was the ability to compare three separate subduction trenches. Broadly, many morphotaxa were shared across all three but local patterns differed. The Japan Trench hosted the highest number of observed morphotaxa, likely influenced by both sampling effort and environmental heterogeneity.

The Izu-Ogasawara Trench, the deepest surveyed, showed dramatic biological aggregations in its deepest parts. The Ryukyu Trench, despite being about as deep as the Japan Trench, lacked several taxa present in the other trenches. The differences in community composition and diversity likely reflect variations in depth, tectonic setting and nutrient input from surface waters.

Final thoughts

By integrating footage from submersible transects and baited lander deployments, we gained an unprecedented picture of the habitats and biodiversity of the Japanese subduction trenches.

Rock and various fauna and litter at 7,500 m depth. Credit to Jamieson et al., 2026, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, Inkfish and Caladan Oceaninc.

Our observations show that these systems are shaped by a complex interplay of geological processes, productivity, disturbance and depth. While it’s easy to think of deep-sea trenches as untouched wilderness, our findings also showed evidence of human-derived debris, likely transported by downslope processes.

More than anything, the hadal zone remains one of Earth’s least-explored and most intriguing frontiers. As technological capabilities advance, continued exploration will be essential for uncovering the mechanisms that sustain life at these depths.

Original source:

Jamieson AJ, Swanborn DJB, Bond T, Cundy MC, Fujiwara Y, Lindsay D, Stott MS, Kitazato H (2026) Faunal biodiversity of the lower abyssal and hadal zones of the Japan, Ryukyu and Izu-Ogasawara trenches (NW Pacific Ocean; 4534-9775 m). Biodiversity Data Journal 14: e182172. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e182172

Microscopic Coils and Coffee Trees Lead to an Amazing New Fungal Discovery

Two new species of fungi have been found living on dead coffee plant branches in China’s Yunnan Province.

Yunnan Province in southwestern China is a global biodiversity hotspot, accommodating an incredible variety of plants and animals. It is also the heart of China’s coffee industry, with Yunnan accounting for almost all of the country’s coffee production. However, coffee plants are very common hosts for many types of fungi, which can act as harmful diseases, harmless residents, or natural recyclers – these factors can impact the plant’s health and how much coffee it produces. 

A new study published in the open-access journal MycoKeys, and led by Mei-Yan Han of Chiang Mai University, revealed two novel species of Neohelicomyces fungi: Neohelicomyces coffeae and Neohelicomyces puerensis. While studying the fungi that live on Coffea arabica, the team spotted these unique organisms growing on dead coffee branches. This discovery underscores the need for further investigations into the fungal diversity of the region.

Both species are characterised by their coil-shaped structures which appear as glistening white patches on coffee plants. Specifically, N. coffeae features short stems and small, multi-sectioned spores, while N. puerensis is distinguished by its tightly coiled filaments and unbranched stems. While the former is named after the host genus Coffea, the latter references the locality in which both species were found: Pu’er City.

  • Neohelicomyces coffeae (GMB-W1490, holotype). Photo credit: Mei-Yan Han et al.
  • Neohelicomyces puerensis (GMB-W1485, holotype). Photo credit: Mei-Yan Han et al.

Importantly, these fungi are classified as saprophytic because they were found growing exclusively on the dead branches of coffee plants rather than on living tissue. Functioning as nature’s essential recyclers, they obtain their energy by breaking down complex organic materials like wood and cellulose. Therefore, by decomposing this dead matter, both play a vital role in the coffee ecosystem by unlocking trapped nutrients and returning them to the soil. This incentive subsequently helps support the growth of the surrounding living coffee plants.

Saprophytic fungi are additionally being studied as potential sources for new medicines and agricultural tools. Scientists have found that the family to which these new species belong, Tubeufiaceae, can produce natural chemicals that fight off bacteria, other fungi, and even certain types of cancer. Specifically, researchers have already discovered compounds related to Neohelicomyces species that show promise in slowing the growth of human cancer cells. 

As of 2026, there are 36 known species of Neohelicomyces, with the vast majority found in China – particularly in Guizhou and Yunnan provinces – though they also appear in Europe and North America. By expanding their known diversity specifically in agricultural environments, researchers have shed light on their ecological potentials, and have called attention to their future biotechnological applications.

Following these discoveries, it is certain that the future of fungal research is starting to brew.

Original source:

Han M-Y, Yang J-Y, Karunarathna SC, Kumla J, Lu L, Zheng D-G, Elgorban AM, Alfagham AT, Yu F-Q, Dai D-Q, Zhang L-J, Suwannarach N, Tibpromma S (2026) Two new Neohelicomyces species (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales) associated with Coffea arabica L. in Yunnan Province, China. MycoKeys 127: 343-362. https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.127.173937

A new crab is settling in the Mediterranean: early evidence of establishment of a Lessepsian species in the Ionian Sea

New research reveals the rapid expansion of the portunid crab, Gonioinfradens giardi, highlighting ongoing biological changes in the Mediterranean Sea.

Guest blog post by Francesco Tiralongo

The Mediterranean Sea is undergoing rapid ecological transformations driven by climate change and human-mediated species introductions. Among the most striking processes is the increasing arrival and establishment of non-indigenous species entering through the Suez Canal, a phenomenon known as Lessepsian migration.

A new study published in Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria documents the rapid expansion of the Indo-Pacific swimming crab Gonioinfradens giardi in the Ionian Sea, off the coast of Italy. Following the first confirmed Italian record – a single specimen collected at Portopalo di Capo Passero in November 2025 – researchers documented 11 additional individuals between November 2025 and January 2026, providing early evidence that the species has moved beyond sporadic occurrence and may already be establishing stable populations in the region.

@pensoft.publishers

🦀A new study highlights the rapid expansion and early establishment of the non-indigenous Indo-Pacific swimming crab, Gonioinfradens giardi, along the Ionian coast of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea The research was published in the open-access journal Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria. 👉Full article here: Tiralongo F, Leotta P, Accolla H, Tibullo D, Felici A (2026) Rapid expansion of a Lessepsian migrant crab, Gonioinfradens giardi (Crustacea, Brachyura, Portunidae), in the Ionian Sea: New records and early evidence of establishment. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 56: 145-149. https://doi.org/10.3897/aiep.56.185183 #invasivespecies #conservation #italy

♬ Aesthetic – BoominBeats

Our findings suggest that Gonioinfradens giardi is transitioning from occasional records to a more consistent presence in the central Mediterranean. This raises important questions about its potential ecological role and interactions with native species.

explains Francesco Tiralongo, lead author of the study

To reconstruct the current distribution of the species, the newly collected data integrates recent records with field observations obtained through a collaboration with local fishers utilizing standard artisanal fishing gears.

The haul of a dozen individuals within a two-month period indicates that environmental conditions are becoming more favorable for its persistence. Furthermore, these captures mark the westernmost presence of the species in the Mediterranean Sea to date.

Distribution map of Gonioinfradens giardi; new records along the Ionian coast of Sicily are shown in yellow (circles), while the red circle indicates the first published record. Credit to Tiralongo et al., 2026

The rapid emergence of this species highlights how dynamic and responsive Mediterranean ecosystems are to ongoing environmental changes. Documenting these early phases of establishment is crucial for understanding future ecological scenarios and supporting informed management decisions.

adds Alberto Felici, co-author of the study

The establishment of non-indigenous crustaceans may have cascading effects on local ecosystems, including competition with native species and potential implications for fisheries. While the long-term impacts of G. giardi remain uncertain, its rapid spread reflects broader changes already underway in Mediterranean marine biodiversity.

Gonioinfradens giardi, credit to Francesco Tiralongo.

This case adds to a growing list of species reshaping Mediterranean ecosystems. Continuous monitoring, including contributions from fishers and citizen scientists, will be essential to track these dynamics and support adaptive management strategies.

Tiralongo adds
A YouTube video by the study’s lead author, Francesco Tiralongo, in which he introduces Gonioinfradens giardi – a species relatively unknown in the Mediterranean – explains its origin, describes how it entered the ecosystem, and outlines its current distribution in Italian waters as well as its potential impacts on ecosystems and fisheries.

The study contributes to the expanding body of evidence that the Mediterranean Sea is becoming a hotspot for biological invasions, emphasizing the need for coordinated research and monitoring efforts at regional and basin-wide scales.

Original source:

Tiralongo F, Leotta P, Accolla H, Tibullo D, Felici A (2026) Rapid expansion of a Lessepsian migrant crab, Gonioinfradens giardi (Crustacea, Brachyura, Portunidae), in the Ionian Sea: New records and early evidence of establishment. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 56: 145-149. https://doi.org/10.3897/aiep.56.185183

Two New Gecko Species Discovered in Vietnam, One Named After Herpetologist Prof. Dr. Thomas Ziegler

Two new species of half leaf-fingered geckos have been discovered in Vietnam, one was named in honor of the renowned herpetologist Prof. Dr. Thomas Ziegler.

Guest blog post by Minh Duc Le

The half leaf-fingered geckos (Hemiphyllodactylus) are a diverse group with more than 70 recognized species and a distribution range from southern India and Sri Lanka, through Indochina and Southeast Asia, to the western Pacific region.

As a result of its cryptic lifestyle and small body size, its diversity had been neglected until a recent surge of integrative taxonomic research, which combines different lines of evidence, most importantly molecular and morphological data.

Over the last ten years, more than 60 members of the genus (~85% of its diversity) have been newly described. Vietnam is a hot spot for new species discoveries with at least 10 congeners uncovered in recent years, including H. banaensis, H. bonkowskii, H. cattien, H. dalatensis, H. lungcuensis, H. nahangensis, H. ngocsonensis, H. vanhoensis, H. yenchauensis, and H. zugi.

Male Hemiphyllodactylus ziegleri. Photo credit to Anh Van Pham.

A newly published paper in ZooKeys reveals another new species within Hemiphyllodactylus, Hemiphyllodactylus ziegleri, from Copia Nature Reserve, Son La Province, northwestern Vietnam.

The new species is currently known only from this protected area, established in 2002. Although its range is estimated at less than 50 km², the area has been experiencing severe habitat degradation, primarily as a result of road construction and timber logging.

Left ImageRight Image

The new species honours Prof. Dr. Thomas Ziegler, a world-class herpetologist and conservation biologist of Cologne Zoo and the University of Cologne, who has made remarkable contributions to biodiversity research and conservation in Southeast Asia, especially to its the herpetofauna. Prof. Ziegler was involved in the descriptions of seven Hemiphyllodactylus species from Vietnam.

In addition to his more than three decades of engagement in taxonomic and ecological studies – spanning lizards, snakes, turtles, salamanders, frogs, and other vertebrates and invertebrates – Prof. Ziegler has made substantial contributions across herpetology broadly.

More recently, he has actively developed in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures to safeguard some of Vietnam’s most endangered species, including the Crocodile Lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus), the Vietnamese Knobby Newt (Tylototriton vietnamensis), the Cat Ba Leopard Gecko (Goniurosaurus catbaensis), and the Vietnamese Pond Turtle (Mauremys annamensis).

As for Hemiphyllodactylus, the current taxonomy is believed to substantially underestimate its diversity, especially in the karst ecosystem, as recent discoveries demonstrate that this particular habitat harbors a high number of cryptic species.

Adult male Hemiphyllodactylus pakhaensis. Credit to Ha HB et al., 2026

Coinciding with the publication of H. ziegleri, another karst-dwelling species – H. pakhaensis from Son La Province – was reported in ZooKeys. These discoveries bring the total species count to 12, suggesting that additional surveys in remote areas of the country and elsewhere in Southeast Asia will likely reveal many new congeners and highlight the importance of this unique, but highly imperiled ecosystem.

Original sources

Pham AV, Nguyen TQ, Pham CT, Ngo HT, Le MD (2026) Hemiphyllodactylus ziegleri sp. nov. (Squamata, Gekkonidae), a new karst-dwelling gecko species from Son La Province, Vietnam. ZooKeys 1268: 75-94. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1268.174678

Ha HB, Hoang TT, Nguyen MD, Ha NV, Luu VQ (2026) A new species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Son La Province, Vietnam. ZooKeys 1268: 163-188. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1268.177040

Revisiting Acalypha: Integrating global knowledge and taxonomy for drug discovery

This diverse genus of flowering plants holds significant medicinal relevance, and yet remains considerably understood.

Guest Blog Post by Lucía Villaescusa-González and Pablo Muñoz-Rodríguez

Since the first humans learned to distinguish the plant that cured a fever from the one that caused a funeral, we have amassed an extraordinary amount of information about the natural world. Whether used for food, medicine, or shelter, this ethnobotanical knowledge passed down through generations now serves as the foundation for modern experimental research.

Today, researchers explore the world’s plant chemical diversity seeking new compounds and species of medicinal or economic interest. However, discovering these resources and sharing the information effectively depends on one often-overlooked key: naming things correctly.

Taxonomy ensures that, when researchers identify a promising use of a plant, the rest of the scientific community can find that plant again, replicate the results, and build upon them. In a time of accelerated biodiversity loss, taxonomy provides the framework that allows us to document biodiversity and connect knowledge about species before they are lost.

For nearly two decades, our research group has focused on Acalypha, a remarkably diverse genus of flowering plants with approximately 450 species. It is the third largest genus in the family Euphorbiaceae —the same as cassava, poinsettia or the rubber tree— yet many aspects of its biology remain poorly understood. While numerous studies have pointed to the medicinal relevance of Acalypha, the information has historically been scattered across disconnected sources and regions.

Acalypha mollis growing at the Naciones Unidas National Park in Guatemala. Author: Gandhi Ponce Juárez – iNaturalist, CC0 licence (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/234908619)

To fully explore a plant group’s potential, we must ensure our knowledge is organised and reliable. This is precisely where taxonomy becomes powerful. In a study recently published in PhytoKeys, we compiled, revised, and standardised existing knowledge about Acalypha uses published worldwide between 1816 and 2024.

Our review, published in the open-access journal PhytoKeys, revealed that nearly 25% of the studies we analysed contained at least one taxonomic error. These errors ranged from the use of non-existent names and already outdated synonyms at the time of publication to “impossible” data, such as species allegedly collected for research in countries thousands of kilometres away from their known distribution range.

By verifying every scientific name against current standards, we were able to provide the first standardised, reliable global synthesis of the genus. Furthermore, this process allowed us to clear the “noise” from the literature and identify exactly which species hold the most promise for future research.

Geographical distribution of Acalypha ethnobotanical knowledge. Top: number of studies with ethnobotanical information per country. Bottom: number of species with reported medicinal uses per country. Darker colours indicate higher values. Author: Villaescusa-González et al.

A clearer global picture

Once we brough this information together under a robust taxonomic framework, a much clearer picture of Acalypha medicinal uses emerged. We identified 62 species with documented medicinal uses across 55 countries. While the genus is used globally, pharmacological research is heavily concentrated in India, Nigeria, and Mexico.

In contrast, species-rich countries such as Brazil and Madagascar, with over 40 species each, remain significantly underrepresented. Also, while many species are used locally, a few are globally relevant: Acalypha indica, for example, is used to treat 23 different disease categories, while Acalypha wilkesiana, a common ornamental plant, is linked to 18 disease categories.

Our work revealed that these plants are used not just for human medicine; they are used in veterinary medicine, as pesticides targeting disease-carrying insects, and in ritual contexts. In human health, they most frequently target infectious and parasitic diseases, digestive tract issues, and respiratory symptoms.

Finally, we also detected a big gap between traditional use and modern research: of all species recorded in ethnobotanical surveys, 36 have never been studied in a laboratory. They represent a promising avenue for future research and drug discovery.

Acalypha argomuelleri, a shrub growing in the Peruvian Andes. Author: Pablo Muñoz-Rodríguez

Why this matters for the future

­The relationship between ethnobotany and experimental biology is widely recognised, and taxonomy plays a key role in bridging these fields. Accurate taxonomic knowledge is essential for ensuring scientific discovery and reproducibility.

When experimental research investigates plants that have been incorrectly identified, it leads to the perpetuation of errors in scientific literature. If pharmacological results are based on misidentified specimens, those experiments cannot be replicated, potentially misleading years of subsequent, expensive medical research.

Glandular hairs in Acalypha ecklonii, a species from Southern Africa. Author: Emma Ortúñez & Roberto Gamarra.

By integrating scattered ethnobotanical reports into a standardised, taxonomically reliable system, we wanted to provide a reliable map for all future Acalypha research. This study proves that precise identification is the basis of scientific discovery.

In an era of accelerated biodiversity loss, applying taxonomy to organise and validate the data we have today ensures the discovery of the medicines of tomorrow.

Original source

Villaescusa-González L, Cardiel JM, Montero-Muñoz I, Muñoz-Rodríguez P (2026) Revisiting Acalypha medicinal interest: ethnobotany, experimental studies, and the implications of taxonomic misuse pitfalls. PhytoKeys 270: 119-142. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.270.169087

Don’t forget to also keep yourself up-to-date with the latest discoveries described in PhytoKeys by signing up for the journal newsletter from the PhytoKeys homepage. You can also follow the journal on BlueSky and Facebook.

Is It a Snake or a Lizard? Understanding the Formosan Legless Lizard

These lizards are among the most secretive and least studied groups in Taiwan.

A research team from the National Taiwan Normal University has clarified the status of a secretive reptile through a new study published in the open-access journal ZooKeys. Led by Si-Min Lin, the team focused on the Formosan legless lizard, scientifically known as Dopasia formosensis. These lizards are among the most secretive and least studied groups in Taiwan, living primarily under leaf litter and humus in moist forests. This elusive behavior makes field observations and ecological studies extremely difficult.

The study resolves a century of taxonomic debate over whether Taiwan’s legless lizards comprise one species or two. For decades, these populations were classified as Dopasia harti, a status complicated by the loss of the original Dopasia formosensis type specimen after World War II. To stabilise the identity of the species and re-establish it as the distinct lineage Dopasia formosensis, the research team has designated a “neotype” – this is a new physical specimen that serves as the official reference for the species name.

Dopasia formosensis in natural habitat: A fully mature adult male showing its dorsal bluish marking; A relatively younger male; A young individual with pale brown dorsal coloration and sharply contrasting black ventral surface. (Photo credit: Yu-Jhen Liang).

Physical Characteristics

The Formosan legless lizard is a medium-sized reptile that lacks external limbs. Adult males typically have a body length between 175 and 230 millimeters, while females are similar in size. A key feature of this species is its exceptionally long tail, which can be nearly double the length of its body.

People often mistake these lizards for snakes, but they possess several distinct features that set them apart. Unlike snakes, legless lizards have external ear openings, although they are quite small. They also have moveable eyelids, which means they can blink, a trait no snake possesses. Further, these lizards have a prominent lateral fold, which is a longitudinal groove running along each side of the body. This fold allows the skin to expand, which is useful for breathing and when females are carrying eggs.

Head morphology of the neotype of Dopasia formosensis; an adult male from Mingchi, Yilan County, Taiwan. (Photo credit: Chih-Wei Chen and Chin-Chia Shen).

Etymology and Colouration

The species name formosensis is rooted in the historical name for Taiwan, “Formosa”, derived from the Portuguese phrase Ilha Formosa (“Beautiful Island”). The name combines this geographical reference with the Latin suffix “-ensis”, which indicates the place of origin.

Top: Landscape near the type locality of Dopasia formosensis in Hinokiyama, currently known as a part of the Fuba Cross-ridge Trail.

Bottom: Landscape of the collection site of the neotype near Mingchi, Yilan, Taiwan. (Photo credits: Chung-Wei You and Kai-Xiang Chang).

The study also clarified a major point of ambiguity regarding the species’ color. Previously, lizards with bright blue spots were thought to be a different species than those without them. The research team confirmed that these markings are actually a form of sexual dichromatism – while females and young lizards usually have a plain pale brown or bronze color, fully mature adult males often display these conspicuous blue markings as a form of secondary sexual signalling.

Behavioural Characteristics

Since these legless lizards are so rarely seen, the research team relied on citizen science data from the Taiwan Roadkill Observation Network to gather information. In the wild, these lizards prefer high-humidity environments in mid-elevation forests with dense canopy cover. 

Sampling sites of Dopasia formosensis (Kishida, 1930), D. harti (Boulenger, 1899), and D. hainanensis (Yang, 1983) available from GenBank.

The researchers also noted parental care as a key behavioural characteristic for the species, suggesting that they may exhibit more complex social behaviors than many other reptiles. In related species within the Dopasia genus, for instance, females are known to exhibit egg-guarding behavior, where they remain with their clutch to protect it from predators and environmental hazards until the offspring hatch.

Egg guarding by a female Dopasia formosensis in the wild, observed in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan. (Photo credit: Weizun Wang).

A prior study documenting the species now recognised as Dopasia formosensis (previously identified as D. harti) notably also detailed its interesting fighting behavior. The encounter begins with a ritualised display where the lizards circle each other with mouths agape, flattened throats, and elevated forebodies. This posturing eventually escalates into physical combat, characterised by one-sided biting and rotational rolling as the males attempt to subdue one another.

Conclusion

The Formosan legless lizard is currently listed as a protected species under Taiwanese law. The research team emphasises that a stable scientific name and clear understanding of the species is critical for future conservation.

“Through these efforts, we aim to provide a more stable framework for future taxonomic, ecological and conservation studies of this overlooked lizard group.”

The Research Team

By making their data openly available, they hope to encourage further study of these unique animals across East Asia.

Original source:

Lin S-M, Shen C-C, Lin T-E, Liang Y-J, Chang W-H (2026) Redescription and neotype designation of Dopasia formosensis (Kishida, 1930) (Squamata, Anguidae) from Taiwan. ZooKeys 1270: 69-98. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1270.173752

For more articles on zoology, visit the ZooKeys website and follow the journal on BlueSky and Facebook.

Biodiversity Boost: 24 new deep-sea species discovered in major Pacific research

Researchers have announced the discovery of 24 new deep-sea amphipod species – including one new superfamily – from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), in the central Pacific Ocean.

Researchers have announced the discovery of 24 new deep-sea amphipod species – including one new superfamily – from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), in the central Pacific Ocean.

The discoveries have been published as part of a new open-access ZooKeys special issue, mark a significant advance in identifying the biodiversity of the CCZ – an area which spans six million square kilometres between Hawai’i and Mexico.

Led by Dr Anna Jażdżewska, University of Lodz (UL), and Tammy Horton, National Oceanography Centre (NOC), 16 experts and early-career scientists came together for a week-long taxonomy workshop dedicated to describing new amphipod species from the CCZ, which was organised at the Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, UL in 2024.

Their findings form part of the International Seabed Authority’s Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative (SSKI) and its ‘One Thousand Reasons’ project, which aims to describe 1,000 new species by the end of the decade.

The research revealed a number of firsts for science, with 24 newly described species spanning 10 amphipod families, including predators and scavengers.

Map of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), Central Pacific Ocean. A. Contract areas from which samples were collected; B. Detail of the central BGR exploration contract area; C. Detail of the eastern CCZ contract areas and APEI-6. (Image credit: Horton et al.).

Notable discoveries include:

  • A new family (Mirabestiidae) and superfamily (Mirabestioidea), revealing completely new evolutionary branches.
  • Two new genera (Mirabestia and Pseudolepechinella).
  • Deepest-known records for multiple genera.
  • First molecular barcodes for rare species.

“To find a new superfamily is incredibly exciting, and very rarely happens so this is a discovery we will all remember.

With more than 90% of species in the CCZ still unnamed, each species described is a vital step towards improving our understanding of this fascinating ecosystem.

Describing the species encountered during these studies is a critical step in documenting the rich biodiversity of the CCZ, enabling us to communicate effectively about the fauna.”

Dr Tammy Horton
Syrrhoe manowitzae sp. nov. (Image credit: Hughes et al.).

A Global Collaboration

Taxonomy is vital to understanding the fauna of the CCZ, providing fundamental knowledge of species, their distributions, and how each species contributes to the fragile ecosystem.

Eight of the species were identified and described by researchers from NOC, who joined colleagues from around the globe including institutions, such as University of Lodz, Natural History Museum, London, Canadian Museum of Nature, Earth Sciences New Zealand (NIWA), University of Hamburg, Senckenberg – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research (SGN) and University Museum of Bergen.

The collaborative project also demonstrated the effectiveness of running coordinated and  focused taxonomic workshops, providing a model way of working for the future.

Participants of the taxonomic workshop at University of Lodz in 2024. (Image credit: Anna Jażdżewska).

“This was a truly collaborative process that allowed us to achieve the ambitious goal of describing more than 20 species new to science within a year – something that would not have been possible if each of us worked independently.

The team’s findings provide information that is crucial for future conservation and policy decisions, and it highlights how important it is for this work to continue.”

Anna Jażdżewska, University of Lodz

Through initiatives such as these describing around 25 species per year, the amphipods in the eastern CCZ could be almost completely known within 10 years.

What’s in a name?

New species must each be named, and that honour falls to the research team who often draw inspiration from those around them.

Many of the 24 new species have been given meaningful names by those who have spent time learning about them and describing them.

Co-leads Dr Tammy Horton and Anna Jażdżewska both saw species named for them, Byblis hortonae, Thrombasia ania and Byblisoides jazdzewskae (respectively).

  • Byblis hortonae sp. nov. (Image credit: Peart et al.).
  • A. CLSM photograph of Thrombasia ania sp. nov. B microscope photograph of Thrombasia ania sp. nov. (Image credit: Anna Jażdżewska).
  • Byblisoides jazdzewskae sp. nov. (Image credit: Peart et al.).

Dr Horton named one of the species in the new superfamily (Mirabestia maisie) after her daughter, who has waited several years to join her siblings in having that unusual honour.

A. Mirabestia maisie sp. nov. immature; B. Mirabestia maisie sp. nov. mature female. (Image credit: Horton et al.).

There was an opportunity to pay tribute to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), with Eperopeus vermiculatus being given the name in recognition of WoRMS which researchers described as providing a ‘wonderful resource for all marine taxonomists’.

Eperopeus vermiculatus sp. nov., habitus of the female holotype. Photograph of preserved specimen. (Image credit: Tammy Horton).

Involving early‑career scientists (including students) also allowed them to leave their mark in the species names, by commemorating their relatives and by creating intriguing links between the deep sea and the virtual world. According to the author, one species, Lepidepecreum myla, resembles Myla (a character from a video game), as both ‘are just little arthropods trying to survive in total darkness.’

Lepidepecreum myla sp. nov. A. Photograph of unstained individual before
manipulation; B. CLSM photography; C. Dorsal view of the animal. (Image credit: Horton et al.).

The team also drew inspiration from linguistics for one species, with Pseudolepechinella apricity representing the spirit of warmth of friendship that came from the week-long workshop.

“Apricity means the feeling of the warmth of the winter sun, and it is one of my favourite words. It was very apt to use during the workshop as we discussed our findings in the warmth of the February sun amid the snow of the Polish winter in Lodz. It was certainly fitting to also use it for one of our amphipod discoveries.

We came together as research colleagues, but the spirit of collaboration and shared experience shone through, so it was important to recognise that in our work.”

Dr Tammy Horton
Pseudolepechinella apricity sp. nov. (Image credit: Horton et al.).

ENDS

About the National Oceanography Centre (NOC)

The UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is one of the world’s top ocean research institutions. NOC’s scientists work around the globe, uncovering links between the ocean, climate change and biodiversity loss, to help every living thing on our planet flourish.

NOC solves challenging multidisciplinary, large scale, long-term marine science problems to underpin international and UK public policy, business and societal outcomes. 

NOC is a company limited by guarantee set up under the law of England and Wales (11444362) and registered as a charity (1185265).

NOC operates the Royal Research Ships James Cook and Discovery and develops technology for coastal and deep ocean research.

Working with its partners NOC provides long-term marine science capability including: sustained ocean observations, mapping and surveying; data management; modelling and scientific research and advice.

Among the resources that the NOC provides on behalf of the UK are the British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC), the Marine Autonomous and Robotic Systems (MARS) facility, the National Marine Equipment Pool (NMEP), the National Tide and Sea Level Facility (NTSLF), the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL) and British Ocean Sediment Core Research Facility (BOSCORF).

About the University of Lodz (UL), Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection and Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology

The University of Lodz is a vibrant academic community whose history began on 24 May 1945. Although we are one of the youngest universities in Poland, today we rank among the country’s largest public institutions of higher education.

More than 20,000 students learn across our 12 faculties, supported by an engaged academic community of teachers, researchers, and professional staff. Together, we create an environment shaped not only by knowledge, but by everyday collaboration and shared responsibility.

Scientific research at the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection (FB&EP) has been conducted since the establishment of the University of Lodz. The Faculty is one of the largest biological faculties in Poland that carries out research within the area of all disciplines of biological sciences at the European level. Research projects carried out at the FB&EP encompass basic, applied, as well as methodological studies.

The Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology is one of the oldest units established at the founding of the University of Lodz. As a dynamic and international group of researchers at various career stages, the Department conducts studies on biodiversity, taxonomy, and the ecology of diverse invertebrate groups (including marine fauna), using a wide range of methods—from traditional microscopy to advanced molecular analyses.

About Pensoft Publishers

Pensoft is an independent, open-access scholarly publisher and technology provider, best known for its 30+ biodiversity journals, including ZooKeys, Biodiversity Data Journal, PhytoKeys, MycoKeys, One Ecosystem, and Metabarcoding and Metagenomics. Ever since becoming the first to introduce semantic enrichments and hyperlinks within a scientific article in the field of biodiversity in 2010, Pensoft has been working on various tools and workflows designed to facilitate data findability, accessibility, discoverability and interoperability.

The special issue can be found through the following link: New deep-sea Amphipoda from Clarion-Clipperton Zone

For more articles on zoology, visit the ZooKeys website and follow the journal on BlueSky and Facebook.

Fossil X-ray Reveals New Species of Baby Dino Named after Iconic Korean Cartoon

Named Doolysaurus huhmini, this baby dinosaur was discovered on South Korea’s Aphae Island.

Cute, green, and sporting two sprigs of hair on his head, a mischievous baby dinosaur named Dooly is one of the most beloved cartoon characters in South Korea.

So, when researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and the Korean Dinosaur Research Center discovered a new species of baby dinosaur from Korea’s Aphae Island, they knew exactly what to call it: Doolysaurus.

“Dooly is one of the very famous, iconic dinosaur characters in Korea. Every generation in Korea knows this character. And our specimen is also a juvenile or ‘baby’, so it’s perfect for our dinosaur species name to honor Dooly.”

Jongyun Jung, lead researcher and a visiting postdoctoral researcher at UT’s Jackson School of Geosciences
  • The newly discovered dinosaur species is named after the popular South Korean cartoon Dooly the Little Dinosaur. The titular Dooly is on the left. Credit: ⓒDoolynara.
  • Dooly the Little Dinosaur (on left) with other characters from the popular cartoon. Credit: ⓒDoolynara.

The baby dinosaur is the first new dinosaur species discovered in Korea in 15 years and the first Korean dinosaur fossil found with portions of its skull. The skull bones were revealed when the fossil underwent a scientific micro-CT scan at the University of Texas High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography (UTCT) facility.

“When we first found the specimen, we saw some leg bones preserved and some vertebrae. We didn’t expect skull parts and so many more bones. There was a fair amount of excitement when we saw what was hidden inside the block.” 

Jongyun Jung

Research on the dinosaur, whose scientific name is Doolysaurus huhmini, is published in the open-access journal Fossil Record. The name huhmini honours the Korean paleontologist Min Huh, who has contributed to the study of Korean dinosaurs over the past 30 years, founded the dinosaur center, and worked with UNESCO to preserve dinosaur fossil sites in Korea. The fossil was discovered in 2023 by co-author Hyemin Jo, a researcher at the dinosaur center.

Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and the Korean Dinosaur Center with a possible dinosaur skeleton on Aphae Island. From left to right: Julia Clarke, Min Huh, Hyemin Jo, Jongyun Jung. Credit: Jongyun Jung.

The dinosaur found by Jo is estimated to be about two years old and was still growing when it died. It’s about the size of a turkey, but an adult Doolysaurus may have grown to twice that size. It also may have been covered in a coat of fuzzy filaments.

“I think it would have been pretty cute. It might have looked a bit like a little lamb.”

Julia Clarke, study co-author and a professor at the Jackson School

The fossil is largely encased by hard rock, which can take close to a decade for a trained preparator to excavate by hand. But analysis of the micro-CT scan revealed the full extent of the fossil in a few months. Jong and Clarke then spent more than a year analysing the anatomy with their coauthors. CT technology has become a critical tool for revealing delicate fossils, such as birds and small non-avian dinosaurs, fossilised in hard rocks, said Clarke.

Doolysaurus lived about 113-94 million years ago during the mid-Cretaceous. Based on its anatomy, the researchers classified it as a thescelosaurid, a type of bipedal dinosaur that lived in East Asia and North America that may have had a fuzzy coat. Researchers could tell it was a juvenile based by observing growth markers on a thin slice of femur bone.

Study co-authors Minguk Kim (left) and Hyemin Jo during the initial discovery and excavation of Doolysaurus. Credit: Jongyun Jung.

The fossil also contained dozens of gastroliths, pebbles that the baby dinosaur swallowed in life to help with digesting food. The stones suggest that the dinosaur was an omnivore, eating plants, insects and small animals. They are also what prompted the researchers to look closer and scan the fossil. That’s because gastroliths are small and light-weight, and the fact that they had remained in place suggested that other parts of the fossil may still be there too.

“A little cluster of stomach stones, with two leg bones sticking out indicates that the animal was not fully pulled apart before it has hit the fossil record,” Clarke said. “So, I encouraged [Jung and co-authors Minguk Kim and Hyemin Jo] to visit Texas and the UTCT, to try scanning the fossil.”

Julia Clarke
The skeletal anatomy of a juvenile Doolysaurus huhmini. The graphic highlights the fossil bones that were found with the dinosaur. Artwork: Janet Cañamar, adapted from Jung et al 2026.

Kim and Jo are using the CT analysis skills they learned at the Jackson School to study more fossils in Korea. Jung is planning a trip back to Aphae Island to collect more fossils. South Korea is known for fossils of dinosaur tracks, nests, and eggs. While rich in these “trace” fossils, it has a noticeable dearth of actual dinosaur bones.

Jung said it’s possible that, like Doolysaurus, they’re largely hidden in the rock. He’s hopeful that micro-CT technology can lead to even more dinosaurs finds in Korea.

“We’re expecting some new dinosaur or other egg fossils to come from Aphae and other small islands,” he said.

Jongyun Jung

Original source:

Jung J, Kim M, Jo H, Clarke JA (2026) A new dinosaur species from Korea and its implications for early-diverging neornithischian diversity. Fossil Record 29(1): 87-113. https://doi.org/10.3897/fr.29.178152

Cover image:

An artist’s interpretation of a juvenile Doolysaurus huhmini. It is depicted alongside birds and other dinosaurs that lived during the Cretaceous in what is now South Korea. Artwork by Jun Seong Yi.

Reposted with permission from The University of Texas Jackson School of Geosciences.

For more articles on palaeontology, visit the Fossil Record website and follow the journal on BlueSky and Facebook.

The Sith Lord of the Sea: Supergiant Isopod in the WoRMS’ Top 10 Marine Species of 2025

The supergiant deep-sea isopod of the genus Bathynomus makes it to WoRMS Top 10 Marine Species of 2025.

What is now celebrated globally as Taxonomist Appreciation Day began in 2013. 19 March was declared by Dr. Terry McGlynn – a researcher and professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills – as a new holiday to highlight the extraordinary importance of taxonomy and taxonomist scientists to research in other fields.

To celebrate the scientists who classify, define, and name all things living, the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) has issued its Top 10 Marine Species of 2025, honouring the discoveries in marine biology throughout the past year.

Last year saw fascinating discoveries in the world of marine life. And today, we are super excited to share with you the species that made it to the Top 10 this year, first published in Pensoft’s open-access journal ZooKeys.

How are these lists compiled? It is a rigorous process, where WoRMS first invites all their editors to nominate their favourites, and then asks a small committee of taxonomists and data managers to provide their votes.

Now, without further ado, join us into the Dark Side to find out exactly why and how this particular species turned up at the top.

The Supergiant Isopod

The head of Bathynomus vaderi. Image by Nguyen Thanh Son

Meet Bathynomus vaderi, a supergiant isopod belonging to the genus Bathynomus. Species from this genus can reach more than 30 cm in length and are known in Vietnam as bọ biển or “sea bugs.” Bathynomus vaderi marks the first record of such a species in Vietnamese waters.

As you might have guessed, the moniker vaderi is inspired by the appearance of its head, which closely resembles the distinctive and iconic helmet of Darth Vader, the most famous character of Star Wars.

From the Market to the Lab

  • Prof. Peter Ng examining giant isopods from a seafood market in Hanoi, October 2024. Photo by Nguyen Thanh Son
  • Dr. Conni Sidabalok examining individuals of Bathynomus vaderi at Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Singapore. Photo by Rene Ong

The story of how it was found is quite compelling. In contrast to the traditional image of deep-sea expeditions, Bathynomus vaderi was obtained from local sellers where the isopods are fished.

In March 2022, staff from Hanoi University purchased four giant isopod individuals from Quy Nhơn City and sent two of them to Peter Ng from the National University of Singapore for identification. Subsequently, this sparked an international collaboration between Ng, Conni M. Sidabalok (National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia), and Nguyen Thanh Son (Vietnam National University). Together, this expert team studied the specimens and confirmed they had discovered a species new to science.

Video by Kyle Hill on YouTube.

A Deep-Sea Delicacy

Giant isopods like Bathynomus vaderi have become an expensive delicacy in Vietnam. Until 2017, local fishermen only sold them as low-priced bycatch, but in recent years, the media has drawn public attention to this unusual seafood. Some even claim it is more delicious than lobster, the “king of seafood.”

The Importance of the Find

News story by Margherita Bassi via the Smithsonian magazine.

This discovery is a reminder of just how much we still don’t know about the vast deep-sea environment. If such a supergiant isopod could remain hidden for so long, it speaks to the extraordinary amount of work still needed to uncover the rich biodiversity of Southeast Asian waters – work that depends on the combined efforts of researchers and taxonomists, whose contributions are at the frontline of conservation.

The celebration is not over; we invite you to explore the Pensoft-published species that have previously made it to the WoRMS Top 10 and revisit the ocean’s most fascinating discoveries:

Original study:

Ng PKL, Sidabalok CM, Nguyen TS (2025) A new species of supergiant Bathynomus A. Milne-Edwards, 1879 (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cirolanidae) from Vietnam, with notes on the taxonomy of Bathynomus jamesi Kou, Chen & Li, 2017. ZooKeys 1223: 289-310. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1223.139335