Two eyeless shrimp-like species found in Japan's groundwater are new to science
Researchers have identified two new species in the genus Bogidiella, small shrimp-like amphipods that live in subterranean aquatic environments, from cave waters on the Ryukyu Islands, a subtropical island chain in southwestern Japan. These creatures are clear products of their underground aquatic environment, often lacking pigmentation and eyes, with elongated appendages and reduced swimming…
In a study published in Zootaxa, researchers have discovered two previously unidentified species of eyeless shrimp-like amphipods living in subterranean aquatic environments on Japan's Ryukyu Islands. These creatures, Bogidiella isajii and Bogidiella painushima, belong to the genus Bogidiella, which typically lacks pigmentation and eyes due to their adaptation to dark, underground settings.
B. isajii was found in anchialine undersea caves on Minamidaito Island, while B. painushima was discovered in freshwater flowing through a cave on Ishigaki Island. The researchers, led by Professor Ko Tomikawa from Hiroshima University, speculate that further exploration of groundwater environments could reveal more biodiversity and inform conservation efforts aimed at preserving these often-overlooked habitats.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
