ResearchGate
Info
This new species is currently only known from a special worm holding tank at the type locality.
The seawater in the tank was taken exclusively from Nabeta Bay from a depth of 3 meters directly opposite the SMRC.
The natural habitat of this species remains unknown.
Due to the location of the headwater gate, it could be Trophoniella hephaistos could be a shallow water species.
However, several invertebrates from the sublittoral (~50 - 60 meters) were collected in this basin (Dr. Hiroaki Nakano, pers. comm.).
Further sampling in Nabeta Bay will further characterize the the natural habitat of this species in the future.
Etymology.
The worm is covered with sediment particles that resemble armor.
Hephaestus (Ἥφαιστος) was the name of the ancient Greek god of blacksmiths, who forged the armor worn by Achilles.
Hephaestus is also written as Hephaestos.
Similar species: Trophoniella hephaistos is similar to Trophoniella enigmatica Salazar-Vallejo, 2012 and Trophoniella indica (Fauvel, 1928).
The seawater in the tank was taken exclusively from Nabeta Bay from a depth of 3 meters directly opposite the SMRC.
The natural habitat of this species remains unknown.
Due to the location of the headwater gate, it could be Trophoniella hephaistos could be a shallow water species.
However, several invertebrates from the sublittoral (~50 - 60 meters) were collected in this basin (Dr. Hiroaki Nakano, pers. comm.).
Further sampling in Nabeta Bay will further characterize the the natural habitat of this species in the future.
Etymology.
The worm is covered with sediment particles that resemble armor.
Hephaestus (Ἥφαιστος) was the name of the ancient Greek god of blacksmiths, who forged the armor worn by Achilles.
Hephaestus is also written as Hephaestos.
Similar species: Trophoniella hephaistos is similar to Trophoniella enigmatica Salazar-Vallejo, 2012 and Trophoniella indica (Fauvel, 1928).
