Kuroshio Science Program: Research findings by Professor Yukiyuki Itani and his team have been published online in the British international academic journal *Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom*
Release Date:
A Classification of the Symbiotic Association Between the Hidden Pistol Shrimp and the Anajako, First Recorded in Japan
[Overview]
高知大学大学院総合人間自然科学研究科黒潮圏総合科学専攻 伊谷行 教授と、同専攻の修了生である京都大学フィールド科学教育研究センター 邉見由美 助教の共同研究グループは、日本初記録のテッポウエビ類の一種 Betaeus levifrons を5個体採集し、カクレテッポウエビモドキの和名を提唱しました。本種はこれまでロシアのピョートル大帝湾でのみ確認されており日本海固有の分布をしている可能性がありましたが、太平洋岸で記録されたのは今回が初めてです。
This species was discovered inside the burrows of the crustacean Upogebia major, which lives in sandy-muddy substrates. Furthermore, this study documented individual variation in body coloration, the breeding season, and sequence data for portions of mitochondrial DNA (the 16S rRNA and COI regions), providing data that aids in species identification and understanding of phylogenetic relationships.Furthermore, we have compiled findings regarding the biota symbiotic within the burrows of the host, the Upogebia major.
These findings were published online on July 15, 2025, in the British international academic journal *Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom*.
[Future Ripple Effects]
In addition to free-living species, the genus Pseudo-pistola includes species that form symbiotic relationships with a wide variety of invertebrates, such as sea urchins, crabs, abalones, polychaetes, and fan crabs. While the diversification of marine ecology and the evolution of symbiotic relationships are extremely fascinating topics, we expect that research using the genus Pseudo-pistola will yield valuable insights.
[Paper Information]
Title: The first record of Betaeus levifrons (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae) from the Pacific Coast of Japan, with remarks on symbiosis with Upogebia major
: First record of the pistol shrimp Betaeus levifrons from the Pacific coast of Japan and a review of the symbiotic relationships with Upogebia major
Authors: Yumi Henmi and Gyo Itani
Published in: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom