New host crab Macrophthalmus (Macrophthalmus) convexus Stimpson, 1858 of the endangered pedunculate barnacle Octolasmis unguisiformis Kobayashi & Kato, 2003 (Lepadomorpha: Poecilasmatidae) in Amami Oshima Island, Japan

Researchers have identified the crab species Macrophthalmus (Macrophthalmus) convexus as a new host for the endangered pedunculate barnacle Octolasmis unguisiformis, expanding the known range of this symbiotic relationship in the Ryukyu Archipelago. The discovery was made during a survey at Kise Bay, Amami Oshima Island, where two hermaphrodites and one dwarf male of O. unguisiformis were found attached to a female M. (M.) convexus. This finding adds to the understanding of the barnacle's unique sexual system, known as androdioecy, which involves both hermaphrodites and males within the same population. The study highlights the importance of this symbiotic relationship in tidal flat ecosystems and contributes to the conservation efforts for O. unguisiformis, which is listed as endangered.

Wijayanti, H., Yonezawa, T., Wada, K., Kitazume, M., & Yusa, Y. (2024). New host crab Macrophthalmus (Macrophthalmus) convexus Stimpson, 1858 of the endangered pedunculate barnacle Octolasmis unguisiformis Kobayashi & Kato, 2003 (Lepadomorpha: Poecilasmatidae) in Amami Oshima Island, Japan. Crustacean Research, 53(0), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.18353/crustacea.53.0_45