A team of researchers has discovered a new species of coral, dubbed the “skeleton panda” due to its unique white stripes and dark spots that resemble a cartoon character’s costume. The tiny creature was found by divers exploring coral outcrops near Kumejima Island in Japan.
Initial photos posted online in 2017 showed the animal’s stark white stripes and dark eye-like spots, sparking curiosity among scientists. However, it wasn’t until researchers conducted further dives and collected specimens that they confirmed the creature belonged to a distinct genus.
The new species, named Clavelina ossipandae, has a distinctive bottle-shaped body and features transverse white bars that create an “illusion of bones.” Its four discrete black pigment patches on each zooid also set it apart from other known congeners.
Researchers used gentle suction devices to collect living clusters and laboratory microscopy to map the arrangement of internal vessels. The data revealed details about the animal’s anatomy, including ten to fourteen double-row gill stigmata and two muscular ribbons running from abdomen to endostyle.
The discovery was made possible by a broader move toward passive citizen-science, where researchers mine social media for reliable species observations instead of waiting for mailed specimens. The findings have been archived with Japan’s National Museum of Nature and Science for future investigators.
The “skeleton panda” coral has several unique features that make it an important addition to the tunicate lineage. Its filter-feeding routine involves drawing seawater in through an oral siphon, passing it across a mesh of gill slits, and expelling it through an atrial siphon.
The discovery highlights how much biodiversity hides in plain sight, even in popular snorkel destinations like Kumejima Island. Conservation planners use such surprises to argue for broad habitat protection, not just for charismatic megafauna but also for small, curious species that stitch reef food webs together.
The study was published in Species Diversity and showcases the importance of citizen-science and mobile phone cameras in accelerating discovery and advancing our understanding of biodiversity.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/divers-discovered-tiny-sea-creatures-clavelina-that-resemble-swimming-panda-bear-skeletons