Publications

Re-examination of the Buccinum assimile syntype revealed a long-standing misidentification, leading to the description of Aplus dissimilis sp. nov. and the synonymisation of B. assimile with Aplus scacchianus, clarifying species identities.

Researchers identified two new deep-sea hesionid species, Dalhousiella yabukii and Leocratides watanabeae, living symbiotically in the same hexactinellid sponge. Their findings reveal independent convergent adaptations to sponge hosts and provide new insights into the evolution and diversification of sponge symbiosis in Hesionidae.

A new trematode genus, Sagaratrema, is proposed for liolopid parasites of marine snakes. Three new species from Sri Lanka are described alongside three reassigned species, while Harmotrema is revised. Genetic and morphological evidence supports their distinct evolutionary history and marine specialization.

A new deep-sea tardigrade genus and species, Ranarctus kondoi, is described from 596–606 m depth near Okinawa, Japan. Its distinctive morphological features differentiate it from related Parmursa, expanding knowledge of the deep-sea-exclusive Euclavarctinae.

A new sponge family, Spinulariidae, is proposed for small, deep-sea polymastiid sponges lacking a secondary cortical layer. Integrative taxonomy and phylogenetic analyses support the family, while several genera are synonymised under Spinularia, highlighting the overlooked diversity and evolutionary importance of inconspicuous sponges.

A new cowrie species, Crenavolva iris, is described from Mozambique. Detailed comparisons with related species from the western Indian Ocean, Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean confirm it as a distinct species, expanding knowledge of Crenavolva diversity in the region.

Two new parasitic worm species, Pyragraphorus rohdei and P. ningalooensis, are described from carangid fish in Australia. A taxonomic and molecular review of the genus also reveals complex evolutionary relationships among several monogenoid families.

Three new mitromorphid species, two of the genus Anarithma (Anarithma pseudoiozona sp. nov. and Anarithma tsuzukii sp. nov.) one of the genus Mitromorpha (Mitromorpha laboutei sp. nov.), are described from the Indo-Pacific. In absence of DNA sequences, differentiation with their closest congeners is based on their conchological characters only.

A new polychaete, Melinnopsis nathanieli, is described from 4,850 m depth in the northeast Atlantic. Morphological and genetic analyses confirm it as distinct, making it the first Melinnopsis species described from the region and revealing its tubes as habitat for other organisms.