Description of Mastobranchus uru sp. nov. (Annelida: Capitellidae) from Iriomote Island, Japan

Scientists have discovered a new species of annelid worm, Mastobranchus uru, from the tidal flats of Iriomote Island, part of Japan's Okinawa region. This species is distinguished by its unique arrangement of capillary chaetae and hook teeth, setting it apart from its three known relatives. The research utilized genetic analysis, specifically barcoding a segment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, to confirm the worm's novel status. This finding contributes to our understanding of biodiversity in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly in the Amami-Oshima and Okinawa Islands, highlighting the importance of such ecosystems for scientific discovery.

Tomioka, S., Yoshida, R., & Kajihara, H. (2017). Description of Mastobranchus uru sp. nov. (Annelida: Capitellidae) from Iriomote Island, Japan. Species Diversity, 22(2), 127–132. https://doi.org/10.12782/specdiv.22.127