Latest news with #HiroyukiMotomura
Miami Herald
14-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Spikey red sea creature appears across Indian Ocean for first time. Take a look
Across the world's oceans, a group of fish blend into rocky bottoms and coral reefs, waiting in ambush for prey to cross their path. They hunt at night, lurching out of the rocky outcrops toward smaller fish, crustaceans and snails. But when the tables turn and they are on the menu for a larger predator, they are properly armed. There are more than 200 known species of scorpionfish around the world, known for their venomous spines that can kill some animals and cause extreme pain to humans, according to Oceana. One of these species is the spotfin scorpionfish, or Neoscorpaena nielseni, a bright red fish typically found in the western Indian Ocean along the coasts of South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Seychelles, Réunion and Mauritius, according to a study published May 9 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. Now, the species has been spotted in a new place for the first time — across the ocean. Spotfin scorpionfish have 12 hard spines down their dorsal, or back, fins, and a 'deep' body, according to the study. Their mouths are 'large' and 'slightly oblique' with a 'simple, sharp (and) conical' nasal spine. Their bodies are 'reddish with numerous black and yellow blotches' with a 'whitish' belly and 'semi-translucent reddish' fins, researchers said. The research team collected records of the fish in Western Australia, ranging from fish caught in the trawls of fishing vessels to those found in scampi pots, according to the study. More than 30 fish were examined, and they ranged in size from about 3 inches long to about 7 inches long. All of the spotfin scorpionfish identified in Australia were found at depths between about 1,050 and 1,400 feet deep, according to the study. Previous research published in 2001 reported the spotfin scorpionfish in a checklist of fishes of Western Australia, researchers said, but when they reexamined the fish, they realized it belonged to a different genus of scorpionfish. 'Therefore, the present study is the first to record N. nielseni from waters off Australia, based on bona fide specimens,' researchers said. The presence of another scorpionfish along the Australian coast is noteworthy because of their venomous nature. Aside from their spines being venomous when grabbed, the fish can also use the venom to stun their prey before they eat it, their large mouths allowing them to gulp their prey in one bite, according to Oceana. Researchers didn't speculate as to how the scorpionfish made their way from one side of the Indian Ocean to the other. The research team includes Tatsuya Matsumoto and Hiroyuki Motomura.
Miami Herald
10-03-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Large'-eyed sea creature — with ‘canine-like' teeth — discovered as new species
Near an island in the South Pacific Ocean, a bright red sea creature with 'canine-like' teeth swam around the coral reef. Maybe it was its vibrant coloring or its spiny body, but something about the animal caught the attention of nearby scientists. It turned out to be a new species. In the 1970s, scientists collected several 'large'-eyed scorpionfish from an island in Australia and a few other remote locales. The specimens were thought to be a known species and deposited in various museums without much further research — until recently. Roxanne Cabebe-Barnuevo and Hiroyuki Motomura decided to take another look at some old scorpionfish specimens and noticed a few fish that didn't quite match the others, they wrote in a study published March 5 in the peer-reviewed journal Ichthyological Research. At a glance, the scorpionfish from the South Pacific Ocean 'closely' resembled a species in Japan, yet a closer look revealed several subtle but consistent differences, the study said. Researchers realized they'd discovered a new species: Sebastapistes monospina, or the tropical single-spined scorpionfish. Tropical single-spined scorpionfish have 'compressed' bodies reaching about 2.5 inches in length, the study said. Their 'moderately large' heads have 'large' eyes and 'large' mouths with 'sharp,' 'canine-like teeth.' A photo shows the bright red coloring of the new species and the 'irregular white blotches' dotting its body. Very little is known about the lifestyle of tropical single-spined scorpionfish, the study said. The fish were found in 'shallow coral and rocky reef environments' at depths of about 2 to 90 feet. Researchers said they named the new species 'monospina,' a combination of the Latin words for 'single' and 'spine,' because it has one spine near its eye. So far, tropical single-spined scorpionfish have been found at three islands in the South Pacific Ocean: Australia's Lord Howe Island, French Polynesia's Austral Islands and the Pitcairn Islands, a British overseas territory, the study said. All of these islands are east of Australia at distances ranging from about 370 miles to almost 6,000 miles. The new species was identified by its scales, skeleton, spines, teeth, fin shape and other subtle physical features, the study said. Researchers did not provide a DNA analysis of the new species.
Express Tribune
26-02-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
Rare deep-sea creatures washing ashore—warning sign? The internet reacts
A series of unusual deep-sea creature sightings has raised global concerns, with experts debating whether these events signal environmental shifts or potential disasters. From oarfish appearing on shores to anglerfish in shallower waters and mass whale strandings, marine life is behaving unpredictably. A deep-sea creature rarely seen by humans called the oarfish has washed ashore in Mexico! Legend has it that this mysterious 'doomsday fish' only emerges from the ocean's depths when disaster is near 👀 — FearBuck (@FearedBuck) February 18, 2025 The sudden appearance of oarfish, often called the "Doomsday Fish," has fueled speculation about seismic activity. In Japanese folklore, these deep-sea dwellers are believed to surface before earthquakes or tsunamis. Reports indicate a rise in global oarfish sightings, reigniting debates about their connection to natural disasters. While scientists like Hiroyuki Motomura dismiss a direct link, some researchers suggest underwater pressure changes may drive these fish to the surface. Similarly, anglerfish—typically found in the ocean's darkest depths—have been observed in shallower waters. Marine biologists believe rising ocean temperatures and shifting currents may be disrupting their natural habitats, forcing them into unfamiliar territory. Adding to the concern, mass whale strandings have increased. Recently, over 150 false killer whales beached themselves in Tasmania, most failing to survive. Scientists are investigating possible causes, including sonar interference, climate-driven ocean current shifts, and increased noise pollution affecting their navigation. Many experts attribute these events to climate change, which is altering marine ecosystems, shifting ocean temperatures, and disrupting marine species' natural behaviors. While some dismiss superstitions linking these occurrences to impending disaster, the rise in such events indicates growing environmental imbalances. As the debate between science and folklore continues, one thing is clear—our oceans are changing, and these strange marine events could be warning signs of larger ecological shifts.
