Researchers have discovered a new species of bivalve in South Africa, providing new insights into the region’s biodiversity and highlighting conservation concerns.

Galeommatoidea bivalves are an extremely diverse but little-known group of marine mollusks. Now, research led by Paul Valentich-Scott of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, as well as collaborators from the University of Cape Town, the Sea Change Trust, Stellenbosch University and the University of Colorado at Boulder, has revealed new information about the habitat, symbiotic relationships and taxonomy of these fascinating animals.

Discovery of new species

In a study recently published in a scientific journal Zoo KeysThe researchers collected four species of galeomatoid bivalves from the Western Cape region of South Africa, including one new species: Brachyomycia ducentiunusThis tiny mollusk, only 2 mm long, spends its life crawling among the spines of sea urchins.

So far, the new species has only been found attached to a sea urchin at one site in False Bay, South Africa. Spatagobrissus mirabilis, No free-living habitat has been observed without a hedgehog burrowing in coarse gravel at a depth of approximately 3 m.

Brachyomycia ducentiunus It was discovered during preparations and work for the 1001 species marine forest project, a research program aimed at raising awareness of regional kelp ecosystems popularly known as the “Great African Marine Forest”.

Impact on biodiversity knowledge

“This study marks a significant advance in our understanding of the biodiversity and ecological interactions of galeommatoid bivalves,” says Valentich-Scott. “By uncovering the secret lives of these small but ecologically important organisms, we hope to contribute to broader knowledge of marine biodiversity and the conservation of these unique habitats.”

Importance of regional marine research

“A significant proportion of smaller marine invertebrates remain undescribed in western South Africa, and almost every project sampling specific habitats yields many new records and species,” says co-author Charles L. Griffiths, professor emeritus at the University of Cape Town.

Similarly, co-author Jannes Landshoff, a marine biologist at the Sea Change Trust, says: “Building a basic understanding of biodiversity is the most important step towards realising how fascinating and unique a place is. I see this every day in our work in the rich coastal waters off Cape Town, home to a vast underwater kelp forest, the ‘Great African Sea Forest’.”