New clam species discovered in South Africa’s kelp forest

A new study has revealed previously unexplored diversity in galeomatoid bivalves, a little-known group of marine mollusks that live off the west coast of South Africa.

of the studyLed by Paul Valentich-Scott of the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, with collaborators from the University of Cape Town, Sea Change Trust, Stellenbosch University and the University of Colorado Boulder, the project offers a fascinating glimpse into the habitats, symbiotic relationships and taxonomy of these intriguing creatures.

Published in a journal ZookieThe study focuses on four species of galeomatoid bivalve mollusks from South Africa’s Western Cape, including the new species Brachiomya ducentiunus. Just 2 mm (less than 1/8 inch) long, these tiny mollusks spend their lives crawling between the spines of sea urchins.

of New species So far it has only been found in one location in False Bay, South Africa, where it was found attached to a burrowing sea urchin Spatagobrissus mirabilis in coarse gravel at a depth of about three metres; it has never been observed free-living without a host sea urchin.

Brachiomya ducentiunus is 1001 Sea Forest Species The project is a research and storytelling program aimed at raising awareness of the kelp bed ecosystems of the region colloquially referred to as “Africa’s Great Ocean Forest.”

“This study represents a major advance in our understanding of galeomatoid bivalve biodiversity and ecological interactions,” said lead author Valentich Scott. “By revealing the hidden ecology of these small but ecologically important organisms, we hope to contribute to broader knowledge of marine biodiversity and the conservation of these unique habitats.”

“Small marine invertebrates remain largely undescribed in western South Africa, and nearly every project sampling specialized habitats has uncovered many new records and new species,” said co-author Charles L. Griffiths, professor emeritus at the University of Cape Town.

In a similar vein, co-author Janez Ranshof writes: Marine Biologist “Creating a baseline knowledge of biodiversity is the most important step in humbly recognising how fascinating and uniquely diverse a place is. I see this every day through my work in Cape Town’s lush coastal waters, where there is a vast underwater kelp forest – the Great African Sea Forest,” said Jonathan Myers, Director of Sea Change Trust.