What’s New?

BIG EARS

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

GIANT SEA COCKROACH

The famous giant sea isopod, Bathynomus, is an important deep-sea scavenger that feeds on dead animals that sink to the ocean bottom, and are an integral part of the ecosystem there. Bathynomus has not been officially recorded in Indonesia before, and this particular “supergiant” may be new to science as well.

CLINGER

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.

SQUAT LOBSTER

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

Name : Rochinia new species “clinger” Family : EpialtidaeSize : 6 centimetres (including legs)Depth : Between 800 metres to 1,200 metres Place Collected : Southwestern Java

Name : Munidopsis new species Family : GalatheidaeSize : 8 centimetres (including pincers) Depth : 525 metresPlace Collected : Southwestern Java

Name : Rochinia new species “big ears” Family : EpialtidaeSize : 6 centimetres (including legs) Depth : More than 1,000 metresPlace Collected : Sunda Straits

Name : Bathynomus new speciesFamily : Cirolanidae Size : 30 centimetres Depth : 1,300 metres Place Collected : Sunda Strait