Hidden Symbionts of Sea Urchins: Two New Genera of Scale Worms
This study describes two new genera and species of scale worms (Polynoidae) associated with sea urchins from Sagami Bay, Japan. Symbiotic relationships between polychaetes and sea urchins are remarkably rare compared to those with other echinoderms, largely due to the defensive barrier of venomous spines. By integrating detailed morphological observations and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses, we reveal the evolutionary distinctiveness of these worms and their adaptations for living within this challenging microhabitat. These findings expand our understanding of marine symbiosis and suggest previously overlooked diversity among echinoderm-associated annelids.
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