Description of a novel Ligia species from Nihoa, a remote island in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

A novel species of Ligia, named Ligia barack sp. nov., has been discovered on Nihoa, a remote island within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM). This finding significantly expands the known biodiversity of the PMNM and underscores the region's unique ecological significance. The discovery was made using molecular taxonomic approaches, which revealed that Ligia from Nihoa form a highly divergent and reciprocally monophyletic lineage distinct from other Hawaiian Ligia species. This study highlights the importance of continued exploration and conservation efforts in remote and biodiverse regions like the PMNM, where additional cryptic species may yet remain undiscovered.

Santamaria, C. A., Bork, A., Larson, A. J., & Link, D. J. (2025). Description of a novel Ligia species from Nihoa, a remote island in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. PeerJ, 13, e19373. Portico. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19373