Discovering a New Deep-Sea Species: Fish Named After Iconic Warrior Princess

The identification of the Branchiostegus sanae, a deepwater tilefish strikingly marked like San from Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke, showcases a unique intertwining of popular culture and scientific discovery.

A newly discovered species of deepwater fish has been named Branchiostegus sanae, honoring San, the warrior princess from the beloved animated film Princess Mononoke created by Hayao Miyazaki. Chinese researchers identified this species thanks to its distinct facial markings that resemble the character’s striking cheek stripes. San, depicted as a fierce protector of nature and raised by wolves, is a symbol of the complex relationship between humanity and the environment.

The study, conducted by experts from several Chinese institutions including the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, confirmed the fish as a new species through genetic analysis. Lead author Haochen Huang expressed that the naming of the fish serves to link the cultural significance of San with the ongoing conversation about environmental protection.

Deepwater tilefish, the family to which Branchiostegus sanae belongs, typically reside at profound depths in the ocean, with some species found over 600 meters below water. Despite being common in seafood markets throughout East and Southeast Asia, there is a surprising lack of diversity within this family; only 31 species have been described in the Branchiostegidae family and 19 in the Branchiostegus genus. The finding of this new species, particularly one that stands out for its uniqueness, is seen as a significant contribution to marine biology, with only three new species identified in the genus over the past 34 years.

Researchers are preserving specimens of Branchiostegus sanae in marine biological collections, aiming to further understand this new species and its ecological role in the deep-sea environment.