Latest news with #Branchiostegus
The Independent
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Strange deep-sea creature discovered after it is listed on online fish market
A deep-sea fish species with unusual cheek patterns has been discovered in the South China Sea after it was listed on online seafood markets. The fish has been named Branchiostegus sanae because its red facial stripes resemble those of the female protagonist San in the Studio Ghibli anime Princess Mononoke. Researchers first spotted the tilefish on an online seafood market and later confirmed it as a new species using genetic analysis, according to a study published in the journal ZooKeys. 'Finding a new species in this group is a rare and fortunate event, especially one as distinctive as Branchiostegus sanae,' said study lead author Haochen Huang. Coincidentally, the anime character's name 'Mononoke', referring to supernatural spirits, aligns with the common name of the sea creature – Ghost Horsehead Fish – used by Chinese fishermen as a nod to its special cheek patterns. In the film by Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, San is raised by wolves after being abandoned by her parents and grows up to fight and protect her forest. Scientists hope the fish's naming aligns with the core theme of the film, which delves into the complex relationship between humans and nature, 'promoting a message of harmonious coexistence between the two'. 'The name sanae refers to the heroine's name, San, in Hayao Miyazaki's film Princess Mononoke who has similar red under-eye stripes to this species and symbolizes the ideas and appeals of harmonious coexistence between man and nature that we want to share,' they write in the study. The fish and its related species live at great depths, with some found 600m below the surface. They usually live on sandy and muddy bottoms on the edges of continental and oceanic plates, researchers say. Although tilefish are commonly found in seafood markets of East and Southeast Asia, only three new species of Branchiostegus have been described since 1990. 'Among the tilefish species known to be distributed in the South China Sea, this species is the only one with vertical stripes on the body,' scientists say. 'In 2021, we noticed that some deepwater tilefish individuals had a unique cheek pattern in some online seafood markets. This unique pattern sets them apart from other deepwater tilefishes.'
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stripey-faced fish named after warrior princess San
A newly discovered deepwater fish has been named after San, the warrior princess from Studio Ghibli's landmark animated film Princess Mononoke, due to its striking facial markings. The new species, Branchiostegus sanae, was identified by Chinese researchers after they noticed its unique cheek stripes. San, a princess raised by wolves, was the war-painted protagonist of Hayao Miyazaki's 1997 animated film. Princess Mononoke was a sensation in Japan and grossed over 19 billion yen (£100.4m) at the box office. The newly discovered fish is a deepwater tilefish, belonging to the family Branchiostegidae. As their name suggests, deepwater tilefish are found at extreme depths, with some species being found as deep as 600m below the surface. Researchers from the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, the Chinese Academy of Science, Zhejiang University and Ocean University of China, used genetic analysis to confirm it as a new species. Inspired by its resemblance to San, they chose "sanae" for the specific name as a tribute. Lead author of the study Haochen Huang said: "In Princess Mononoke, San is a young woman raised by wolves after being abandoned by her human parents. She sees herself as a part of the forest and fights to protect it. "The film delves into the complex relationship between humans and nature, promoting a message of harmonious coexistence between the two: something we hope to echo through this naming." Deepwater tilefish are commonly found in seafood markets across east and southeast Asia. However their diversity remains relatively low, with only 31 described species in the Branchiostegidae family and 19 in the Branchiostegus genus. "Finding a new species in this group is a rare and fortunate event, especially one as distinctive as Branchiostegus sanae," said Haochen Huang. Only three new species in the genus Branchiostegus have been identified in the last 34 years. Specimens have been preserved in marine biological collections to help scientists learn more about them.
BBC News
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Princess Mononoke's San inspires naming of deep-sea fish
A newly discovered deepwater fish has been named after San, the warrior princess from Studio Ghibli's landmark animated film Princess Mononoke, due to its striking facial new species, Branchiostegus sanae, was identified by Chinese researchers after they noticed its unique cheek a princess raised by wolves, was the war-painted protagonist of Hayao Miyazaki's 1997 animated Mononoke was a sensation in Japan and grossed over 19 billion yen (£100.4m) at the box office. The newly discovered fish is a deepwater tilefish, belonging to the family their name suggests, deepwater tilefish are found at extreme depths, with some species being found as deep as 600m below the from the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, the Chinese Academy of Science, Zhejiang University and Ocean University of China, used genetic analysis to confirm it as a new by its resemblance to San, they chose "sanae" for the specific name as a author of the study Haochen Huang said: "In Princess Mononoke, San is a young woman raised by wolves after being abandoned by her human parents. She sees herself as a part of the forest and fights to protect it."The film delves into the complex relationship between humans and nature, promoting a message of harmonious coexistence between the two: something we hope to echo through this naming." Deepwater tilefish are commonly found in seafood markets across east and southeast their diversity remains relatively low, with only 31 described species in the Branchiostegidae family and 19 in the Branchiostegus genus."Finding a new species in this group is a rare and fortunate event, especially one as distinctive as Branchiostegus sanae," said Haochen three new species in the genus Branchiostegus have been identified in the last 34 have been preserved in marine biological collections to help scientists learn more about them.
