A lost marine species has been hidden in photos of other animals for decades. According to scientists, the rediscovery of the invisible Haplosyllis anthogorgycola was accidental. A careful analysis of photos of other animals living in the same ecosystem allowed us to determine that marine worms are not extinct, but simply hide themselves very well.
Studying marine animals is not an easy art, especially if we are dealing with small species. Arthropods and small annelids often live in places inaccessible to humans – spaces between stones, sand and gravel at the bottom or even bodies of other larger organisms. This was discovered by a research team from Japan and Saudi Arabia, who found the remains of a species that was thought to be extinct. The case was recently described in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Marine connections
The analysis began with a sample of the coral Anthogorgia bocki collected during a research expedition off the coast of Japan. In the laboratory, it was found that the body was filled with small transparent worms. Scientists were able to determine that they are dealing with Haplosyllis anthogorgicola – a marine polychaete with an elongated body. This species has only been described once, in 1956, and since then no other sightings or studies have been reported in scientific journals.
Researchers wondered if the missing species had really disappeared over several decades or were just well hidden. To test this, they analyzed photos of another species found in the coral company, the seahorse Hippocampus bargibanti, posted on a website where tourists or amateur scientists can post photos of wildlife.
A seahorse among corals with holes excavated by H. anthogorgicola Hlow Furrow
In plain sight
As it turned out, H. anthogorgicola was found in about three-quarters of all the sea photos they examined – their invisible, transparent bodies appear only in the background, ignoring the photographers and researchers. The sea pole never hid or disappeared, it was forgotten by scientists.
When the research team examined the photos of polychaetes and their cuttings, they found that they did not live only on the shores of Japan – traces of their origin were found in many regions of Southeast Asia, and there were many of them. Based on the photographic observations, the scientists also found evidence that the worms have a symbiotic relationship with the coral. The organisms cleaned the water of particles of substances that could clog sensitive coral polyps.
H. anthogorgicola and koralowcu Chloe Fourreau
H. anthogorgicola burrows into coral tissue Chloe Furrow
Royal Society, Science X Network
Featured Photo: Chloe Furrow
