New Species Discovered During Japan Deep-Sea Expedition

An international team has revealed the discovery of 38 new species following an expedition led by The Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census and JAMSTEC. Conducted in June 2025, researchers aboard the research vessel Yokosuka and the submersible Shinkai 6500 collected over 528 specimens. The findings were confirmed during a Species Discovery Workshop held in October 2025.

Significant discoveries include two new polychaete worm species, Dalhousiella yabukii and Leocratides watanabeae, found within glass sponges at the Shichiyo Seamount Chain. The expedition also uncovered five squat lobster species and other marine life. These findings highlight the potential of international collaboration in marine exploration.