Researchers Discover New Species of Spoon Worms in Japan

Researchers have now discovered a new species of spoon-shaped worms in Japan. The worm has a spoon-like projection (proboscis) attached to a barrel-like round body.

The species is called Arhynchite Hayaoi and is pinkish-yellow in color, measuring an average length of 10 cm. The species has a spoon shaped proboscis just like its close relatives.

Spoon worms are called Echiura and are exclusively marine organisms. Most species of these worms dwell in shallow waters, collecting food through their spoon-like projections, although some species can live at greater depths. Echiurians were earlier part of the phylum Annelida, however, now they are considered a separate phylum. Unlike other members of phylum Annelida, spoon worms lack segments and are rather large, with some species growing up to 40 cm long with proboscis reaching 1 to 2 meters.

The new species was discovered on Hachi-no-higata, a sandy tidal flat at the Seto Inland Sea, Japan. They were previously confused with another species of spoon worms. Researchers said that Arhynchite hayaoi was abundant in the region, however now, its numbers are rapidly declining.

Researchers report their discovery in the journal ZooKeys.

There are about 150 known species of echiurans and are quite common in shallow waters. Urechis caupo is species that's commonly found in some mudflats of the Pacific coast of California.