Brandon Ryan Hannan’s image captures the newly identified Hannan’s Pygmy Squid (Kodama jujutsu) in its natural habitat.
Scientists exploring the Okinawa Islands’ coastal regions have identified two unique cephalopod species, drawing names from Japanese folklore.
Okinawa’s underwater realms, part of a Japanese sub-tropical archipelago, boast one of the planet’s richest ecosystems. Home to over 360 coral varieties, these lush marine environments nurture a diverse range of species.
Researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and colleagues from Japanese and Australian universities have recently added two pygmy squid species to this rich tapestry – the Ryukyuan Pygmy Squid (Idiosepius kijimuna, or Ryukyu-himeika1 in Japanese) and Hannan’s Pygmy Squid (Kodama jujutsu, also known as Tsuno-himeika).
Mystical Marine Creatures
The names of these new species are derived from Japanese folklore, reflecting their unique characteristics and habits. The Ryukyuan Pygmy Squid, Idiosepius kijimuna, is named after mythical, red-haired forest sprites from Okinawa’s banyan trees. These squids are small, red, and predominantly dwell in seagrass forests near the shore.
Photograph of a Ryukyuan Pygmy Squid in its natural setting. Credit: Shawn Miller
Kodama jujutsu, the scientific name for Hannan’s Pygmy Squid, marks a new genus discovery. This genus, Kodama, is inspired by ancient tree spirits symbolizing healthy forests.
The species name ‘jujutsu’ refers to the squid’s hunting technique, which mimics the martial art of Jiu-jitsu. Jeffrey Jolly of OIST’s Marine Climate Change Unit, who co-authored the study, explains how the squid hunts larger shrimp using a grappling technique, often seen with its arms curled overhead in a martial arts stance.
Elusive Ocean Dwellers
Locating these squids proved challenging. Both are incredibly small, with the largest observed specimen being just 12 millimeters long.
Their nocturnal and seasonal habits add to the difficulty – the Ryukyuan appears only in winter and is more commonly found, while Hannan’s, found in coral reefs, is harder to spot among the myriad ocean life.
Photograph of a Ryukyuan Pygmy Squid clinging to seagrass. Credit: Brandon Ryan Hannan
The discovery was made through the joint efforts of scientists and underwater photographers, including Shawn Miller, Keishu Asada, and Brandon Ryan Hannan, after whom the Kodama jujutsu is commonly named.
Environmental Concerns
These pygmy squids, much like their mythical counterparts, are deeply entwined with their natural habitats in Okinawa’s waters, which face threats from human-induced climate change, overfishing, and habitat destruction.
Jeffrey Jolly emphasizes the significance of taxonomy in recognizing the vast unknown diversity of ocean life and the urgent need to protect it.
The research, led by Amanda Reid, Noriyosi Sato, Jeffrey Jolly, and Jan Strugnell, was published on 21 October 2023 in Marine Biology.
DOI: 10.1007/s00227-023-04305-1
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pygmy Squid Species
What are the newly discovered species of pygmy squids?
Researchers have identified two new species of pygmy squids in the coastal waters of the Okinawa Islands. These are the Ryukyuan Pygmy Squid (Idiosepius kijimuna) and Hannan’s Pygmy Squid (Kodama jujutsu).
How were these new squid species named?
The names of the new squid species are inspired by Japanese folklore. The Ryukyuan Pygmy Squid is named after mythical forest sprites, and Hannan’s Pygmy Squid’s genus, Kodama, is named after ancient tree spirits, with its species name alluding to its unique hunting technique.
Where were these new species of pygmy squids found?
Both species were discovered in the diverse marine ecosystems near Okinawa, a Japanese sub-tropical island chain. The Ryukyuan Pygmy Squid is typically found in shallow seagrass beds, while Hannan’s Pygmy Squid is found in coral reefs.
What challenges were faced in discovering these squids?
Finding these squids was challenging due to their small size, nocturnal activity, and specific habitat preferences. The Ryukyuan Pygmy Squid is only active in winter, and Hannan’s Pygmy Squid, being tiny and in coral reefs, is difficult to spot.
Why is the discovery of these squids significant?
The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of Okinawa’s marine ecosystems and the importance of taxonomy in understanding and protecting ocean life. It also draws attention to environmental threats such as climate change and habitat destruction affecting these ecosystems.
More about Pygmy Squid Species
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
- Journal Marine Biology
- Marine Climate Change Unit at OIST
- Underwater Photography and Conservation
- Environmental Impact on Okinawa’s Marine Ecosystems
- Japanese Folklore and Marine Life
- Cephalopod Behavior and Ecology
- Climate Change and Coral Reefs
5 comments
it’s sad that such beautiful creatures are under threat cuz of climate change we gotta do better.
I didn’t know squids could be that small? and finding them must be super hard, hats off to the researchers
the link between mythology and marine life is fascinating, would love to read more about this kind of stuff.
really interesting to see how folklore inspires scientific names, shows a deep cultural connection that’s pretty cool.
great article but i think more focus should be on the environmental threats these squids face, its a big deal.