Burrowing sea creature with ‘bulging’ eyes discovered as new species in South Korea
On an island in South Korea, a zippy sea creature with “bulging” eyes burrowed into the sandy tidal pool and waited for its next meal. But it wasn’t the only patient watcher.
Scientists managed to scoop up the scaly animal — and discovered a new species
Researchers visited the tidal pools along Jeju Island several times between 2022 and 2023, according to a study published Oct. 1 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. Their goal was to monitor local fish populations.
During the surveys, researchers noticed some burrowing fishes previously identified as a known species, the study said. Intrigued, they analyzed the animal’s DNA and found that it didn’t match up as expected. Researchers soon realized they’d discovered a new species: Limnichthys koreanus, or the Korean sand burrower.
Korean sand burrowers can reach about 2 inches in length, the study said. They have “elongated” bodies with “fleshy” lips, “pointed” tongues and “large,” “bulging” eyes.
The new species varies in coloring, but generally has a light brown hue with several “saddle”-shaped stripes along its back, researchers said. Photos show the fish’s long, skinny shape and the hair-like extensions along its spine and belly.
Korean sand burrowers live in the “thick sand” of tidal pools, “often hiding almost entirely in the sand,” the study said. “They tended to dart out to catch prey … and then return to their original position,” almost like “a boomerang.” Females can have up to 522 eggs at a time.
Researchers said they named the new species after the country where it was discovered. So far, Korean sand burrowers have only been found on Jeju Island, an island off the southwestern coast of South Korea.
The new species was identified by its skeleton, color pattern, teeth and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 9% genetic divergence from other related species.
The research team included Yu-Jin Lee and Jin-Koo Kim.