In brief
Researchers have discovered a unique deep-sea fish, dubbed Branchiostegus sanae, drawing inspiration from the iconic character's striking facial markings.
The depths of the ocean continue to surprise researchers, with a new fish species recently unveiled, inspired by the legendary warrior princess San from the beloved Studio Ghibli film, Princess Mononoke. Named Branchiostegus sanae, this striking deepwater tilefish features unique cheek stripes that closely resemble the character's distinctive markings, earning it a name that pays homage to the courageous princess.Discovered by a team from the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology and other Chinese institutions, these fish can thrive as deep as 600 meters below the ocean surface. According to lead author of the study, Haochen Huang, San’s connection to nature resonates with this naming, highlighting the film's themes of environmental consciousness and coexistence.Despite their presence in many seafood markets across East and Southeast Asia, deepwater tilefish remain elusive, with only 31 recognized species in the Branchiostegidae family. Discovering Branchiostegus sanae marks a rare and exciting addition to this group, as only three new species in this genus have been identified in the previous 34 years. To aid in future research, specimens of this new fish have been preserved for scientific study.
