Discovering Melita Panda: A Unique Crustacean

Decades after its first discovery in Japan, a newly recognized species of crustacean with striking black-and-white markings reminiscent of a panda has been classified as new to science. Named Melita panda, this species is part of the melitid amphipods, which are shrimp-like creatures found all over the globe. The classification details for Melita panda, first identified in the 1990s, were published in the journal ZooKeys.

The recognition of Melita panda underscores the significance of taxonomy, the science of naming and classifying living organisms, for conservation initiatives. Without proper identification, it becomes challenging to assess whether a species is at risk of extinction.

According to Professor Ko Tomikawa from Hiroshima University, although biodiversity conservation is a critical global concern, our comprehension of species diversity is still lacking. He emphasized that taxonomic studies of amphipod Crustacea are essential due to the high level of species diversity in the waters surrounding Japan.

Before the identification of Melita panda, researchers recognized 63 species of Melita amphipods, with 16 residing in Japan. The new species was discovered in the intertidal zones of Wakayama Prefecture, and researchers suspect there are more unidentified Melita species in Japan’s coastal environments.

Tomikawa pointed out that research on amphipods in Japan's coastal waters has been insufficient, making taxonomic investigations vital for accurately measuring species diversity. He hopes that the discovery of this panda-patterned amphipod will spark public interest in biodiversity and the field of taxonomy.

To classify Melita panda, researchers performed both a morphological analysis and molecular phylogeny utilizing genomic DNA. The morphological analysis uncovered unique traits, including its distinctive panda-like coloration, while the molecular approach established its evolutionary connections to other Melita amphipods.

The molecular research indicated that Melita panda shares a close relationship with two other amphipods: Melita nagatai and Melita koreana. Its unique coloring, along with certain physical characteristics, distinguishes it from these relatives, such as the position of its gnathopods (claws) and the structure of its setae (bristle-like hairs).

Together, Melita panda, Melita nagatai, and Melita koreana form a monophyletic group, indicating they have a common ancestor, specifically Melita hoshinoi. Researchers plan to conduct further studies on Melita panda to explore its ecology and behavior.

Tomikawa expressed hope that these studies will shed light on the reasons behind its panda-like coloration. He also stressed the importance of continued taxonomic research in unexplored regions, which may lead to discovering more new species and enhancing our understanding of biodiversity in the coastal ecosystems of the Japanese archipelago.