Four-eyed creature — with ‘bright red’ body — found burrowed in sand. See new species

Moira Ritter
·2 min read
2

Along the shore of an island in Japan, a ghost shrimp burrows its way into the sand, making its home in a tidal flat. But the shrimp isn’t alone — it is the host to another tiny red critter.

Researchers were exploring the Ryukyu Islands when they came across the burrows, according to a study published Nov. 1 in the journal PeerJ.

They used a pump to extract the minuscule creatures within the burrows, and they discovered more than just ghost shrimp, the study said. Two new species of Hesionidae, also known as bristled worms, were found inside the burrows.

Researchers used a yabby pump to extract creatures from burrows, according to the study.
Researchers used a yabby pump to extract creatures from burrows, according to the study.

The worms, known as Parahesione pulvinata and Parahesione apiculata, were only found within ghost shrimp burrows, indicating that they have a symbiotic relationship and rely on the shrimps’ low-oxygen habitats, according to researchers.

A living specimen of P. pulvinata.
A living specimen of P. pulvinata.
A live specimen of P. apiculata.
A live specimen of P. apiculata.

Both of the new species have flattened, bright red bodies, scientists said. When preserved, P. pulvinata becomes a pinkish color while P. apiculata turns a light orange.

P. pulvinata fade to a pinkish color when they are dead, scientists said.
P. pulvinata fade to a pinkish color when they are dead, scientists said.

P. pulvinata has two sets of dark red eyes, the study said. P. apiculata also has two sets of eyes, but they are “inconspicuous” in life.

Researchers said the two species are distinguished from other similar species by their eight “tentacular cirri.” Cirri are “slender” appendages that often resemble tentacles, according to A Dictionary of Zoology.

P. pulvinata were extracted with ghost shrimp from sandy burrows, researchers said.
P. pulvinata were extracted with ghost shrimp from sandy burrows, researchers said.
The two new species were only found alongside ghost shrimp, the study said.
The two new species were only found alongside ghost shrimp, the study said.

P. pulvinata was named after the Latin word for cushion or pillow because of the unique shape of organs on its back, according to the study. The species is found in the Ryukyu Islands in Japan, but it is also found in Vietnam and Papua New Guinea.

P. apiculata was named after the Latin word for short pointed, also based on the distinct shape of organs on its back, researchers said. The species has only been identified on the Ryukyu Islands.

Research was conducted by Naoto Jimi, Hiroki Nakajima, Taigi Sato, Brett C. Gonzalez, Sau Pinn Woo, Greg W. Rouse and Temir Britayev.

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