<\/p>\n
Paracalliactis tsukisome, a newly discovered sea anemone living in symbiosis with hermit crabs on the deep-sea floor off Japan. (Yoshigawa et al via SWNS)<\/p>\n
By Stephen Beech<\/strong><\/p>\n A pink sea anemone<\/a> that \u201cbuilds a home\u201d for hermit crabs has been discovered.<\/p>\n The find, in seas off Japan, is a rare example of “co-evolution” in the ocean depths, say scientists.<\/p>\n Researchers from Kumamoto University<\/a> in Japan discovered the new species of anemone that builds shell-like oceanic \u201chomes\u201d for hermit crabs.<\/p>\n (Yoshigawa et al via SWNS)<\/p>\n By Talker<\/p>\n The newly identified species, Paracalliactis tsukisome sp. nov., was found living on the shells inhabited by the hermit crab Oncopagurus monstrosus at depths of 200 to 500 metres (650 to 1,640 ft) off the Pacific coast of Japan’s Mie and Shizuoka Prefectures.<\/p>\n Unlike typical sea anemones<\/a>, which lack hard skeletons, the new species secretes a shell-like structure – known as a carcinoecium – which expands and reinforces the crab\u2019s shell.<\/p>\n Stable isotope analyses revealed that the anemone feeds partly on organic particles and the crab\u2019s faeces – an unusual but efficient form of recycling on the deep-sea floor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
(Yoshigawa et al via SWNS)<\/p>\n By Talker<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n <\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n