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Singapore-Indonesia Deep Sea Expedition Discoveries

This yet-to-be-named crab species was found camouflaged with debris, small zoanthid anemones and mud. It has a distinctive plate which resembles over-sized ears adjacent to its red eyes.

ROCHINIA NEW SPECIES "BIG EARS"

Size: 6cm (including legs)

Depth: More than 1,000m


This yet-to-be-named crab species was found camouflaged with debris, small zoanthid anemones and mud. It has a distinctive plate which resembles over-sized ears adjacent to its red eyes.

ROCHINIA NEW SPECIES "SPIKY"

Size: 8cm (including legs)

Depth: 800m


Rochinia new species “spiky” (Family Epialtidae)

A stunning orange species now ascribed to Rochinia with many strong spines. Only one specimen of this rare species was obtained from southwestern Java.


ROCHINIA NEW SPECIES "CLINGER"

Size: 6cm (including leg)

Depth: Between 800m and 1,200m


Rochinia new species “clinger” (Family Epialtidae).

Scientists found a third new species of Rochinia - a more elongated form - from the depths of southwestern Java.


Several specimens were found clinging to stalked sea lilies, a living fossil. Scientists are still not sure if this is their only habitat but they do believe these crabs have a preference for these sea lilies.


PAGURISTES NEW SPECIES (FAMILY DIOGENIDAE)

Size: 3cm (including legs)

Depth: About 200m


Paguristes new species (Family Diogenidae).

This distinctive new species of Paguristes hermit crab has green eyes and orange banded pincers.


BATHYNOMUS NEW SPECIES (FAMILY CIROLANIDAE)

Size: 30cm in length

Depth: 1,300m


Bathynomus new species (Family Cirolanidae).

Expedition member Muhammad Dzaki Safaruan holding the newly discovered giant sea cockroach.


GLYPHOCRANGON NEW SPECIES (FAMILY GLYPHOCRANGONIDAE)

Size: 8cm long

Depth: 1,013m

Glyphocrangon new species (Family Glyphocrangonidae).

An exquisitely sculptured shiny-eyed shrimp collected by scientists. These bottom dwelling shrimps possess unique mechanisms to lock their abdomens to protect themselves against predators.


MUNIDOPSIS NEW SPECIES (FAMILY GALATHEIDAE)

Size: 8cm (including pincers)

Depth: 525m


Munidopsis new species (Family Galatheidae).

This was among 20 species of squat lobsters found by scientists on the expedition. It has a distinctive zebra pattern on its body.


XYLOPAGURUS CF. PHILIPPINENSIS (FAMILY PAGURIDAE)

Size: 12cm to 15cm (full length

Depth: 370m


Xylopagurus cf. philippinensis (Family Paguridae).

The slender twig-dwelling hermit crab with a straight body has adapted its body to live inside the narrow cavities of hollow twigs and sticks. It relies on sunken wood as a major source of food or substrate.


PLATYGOBIOPSIS SP. (POSSIBLE NEW SPECIES) (FAMILY GOBIIDAE)

Size: 5cm to 6cm long

Depth: 182m


Platygobiopsis sp. (Family Gobiidae).

The strange goby is flat-headed, and has very enlarged otoliths (ear stones for balance) behind the eyes. It is the first time this species is recorded in the Indian Ocean.


There are currently three known species which are from Flores, Vietnam and Japan. Scientists are currently examining whether this specimen is new to science.


CHELIDOPERCA MARGARITIFERA (FAMILY SERRANIDAE)

Size: 10cm to 12cm long

Depth: About 165m


Chelidoperca margaritifera (Family Serranidae).

The red mini-grouper Chelidoperca margaritifera (Family Serranidae) is historically interesting as it was first collected by the Siboga Expedition team, and described by the famous Dutch ichthyologist Max Weber in 1913.

Singapore-Indonesia deep-sea expedition team discovers over a dozen species new to science.

It was first found near Misool Island in eastern Indonesia and has since been reported from Australia. 

The discovery of more specimens of this beautiful species in Java, which is well West of its known range, is of great interest and constitutes as a major find.


DEEP SEA STAR (FAMILY CAYMANOSTELLIDAE)

Size: Up to 1cm in diameter

Depth: Between 500m and 1,200m


Deep Sea Star (Family Caymanostellidae).

An unusual Caymanostella wood-dwelling sea star, possibly new to science, found deep in southwestern Java.


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