Researchers in Japan have unveiled “Clavelina Ossipandae,” a newly identified marine species with distinctive panda-like markings and a skeletal appearance, found near Kumejima Island. The name combines Latin for “little bottle” with a nod to its unique physical traits, encapsulating its under-an-inch diminutive stature.
This sea creature garnered scientific interest after divers in Okinawa Prefecture stumbled upon it, earning the moniker “Skeleton Panda Sea Squirt” among enthusiasts for its striking colouration.
Naohiro Hasegawa, a doctoral candidate at Hokkaido University, spearheaded the research, which appeared in the Journal of Species Diversity. His work involved a detailed examination of the organism’s form and genetic makeup.
Investigations revealed the creature’s white “skeletal” features as blood vessels across its gills, while the panda-reminiscent facial pattern remains a mystery.
