{"id":358177,"date":"2026-04-01T07:18:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T07:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/358177\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T07:18:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T07:18:13","slug":"scientists-discover-life-in-a-glass-castle-and-dozens-of-new-species-during-japan-deep-sea-expedition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/358177\/","title":{"rendered":"Scientists Discover ‘Life in a Glass Castle’ and Dozens of New Species During Japan Deep-Sea Expedition"},"content":{"rendered":"

TOKYO, April 1, 2026 \/PRNewswire\/ \u2014\u00a0A major international effort to document Japan\u2019s deep-ocean life has confirmed the discovery of 38 new species, following a landmark expedition by The Nippon Foundation\u2013Nekton Ocean Census<\/a> and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC).<\/p>\n

The June 2025 mission, conducted aboard the research vessel Yokosuka and the manned submersible Shinkai 6500, collected over 528 specimens. In October 2025, global taxonomists convened at JAMSTEC Headquarters for a Species Discovery Workshop to verify these findings and coordinate scientific publication.<\/p>\n

Among these discoveries are two breakthrough studies: a comprehensive survey in the journal Ecosphere<\/a>, led by JAMSTEC researcher Dr Chong Chen, revealing a five-fold increase in known biodiversity at the Nankai Trough cold seeps, and research in The Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society<\/a> led by Dr. Naoto Jimi, which demonstrates the remarkable evolutionary history of symbiotic sponge-dwelling worms, which have evolved to live \u2018in a glass castle\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe discoveries made in the Nankai Trough and the Shichiyo Seamount Chain remind us how little of our ocean has truly been explored. By supporting missions like this, The Nippon Foundation is helping to open a new frontier of knowledge for Japan and for humanity.\u201d Mitsuyuki Unno, Executive Director, The Nippon Foundation<\/p>\n

\u201cEach new species discovery made by the Ocean Census is a step toward understanding, valuing, and ultimately safeguarding our shared ocean. This expedition shows what is possible when world-class scientific institutions collaborate to explore the unknown.\u201d \u2013\u00a0 Dr Michelle Taylor, Head of Science, The Nippon Foundation\u2013Nekton Ocean Census<\/p>\n

Life in a Glass Castle\u00a0At the Shichiyo Seamount Chain\u2014a series of deep sea volcanic peaks 500\u2013700 km southeast of Tokyo\u2014researchers discovered an intricate biological relationship within glass sponges. These sponges construct skeletons from silica, creating a rigid, translucent habitat.<\/p>\n

Two new species of polychaete worms\u2014Dalhousiella yabukii and Leocratides watanabeae\u2014were found living symbiotically within these structures. The full study is available here. <\/a><\/p>\n

Expanding Japan\u2019s Marine Frontier\u00a0The Shichiyo seamount dives, previously largely unexplored, also revealed:<\/p>\n

Five new species of squat lobsters, including the genus Munidopsis.
\nNewly observed marine life, including octocorals, nemerteans, amphipods, and kinorhynchs.
\nRange expansions\u00a0for several species previously thought rare or absent in Japanese waters.<\/p>\n

Together, these discoveries underscore the importance of international collaboration in protecting and understanding the world\u2019s hidden marine frontiers.<\/p>\n

Media assets via Ocean Census Media Centre<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Divers<\/p>\n

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\"New<\/p>\n

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\"JMSTEC's<\/p>\n

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\"New<\/p>\n

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\"Ocean_Census_Logo\"<\/p>\n

\"Cision\" View original content:https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/apac\/news-releases\/scientists-discover-life-in-a-glass-castle-and-dozens-of-new-species-during-japan-deep-sea-expedition-302730565.html<\/a><\/p>\n

SOURCE Ocean Census<\/p>\n

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