New genus of tiny crustacean discovered in Sipadan cave

SEMPORNA: A tiny crustacean found in a submerged cave off Pulau Sipadan has turned out to be from a new species and an entirely new genus.

Named Sipadanomolgus dissimilis, the copepod was collected using a light trap inside the marine cave called Turtle Tomb at the world-renowned diving destination.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Associate Professor Dr Azman Abdul Rahim, who led the research, said: "The researchers established an entirely new genus, Sipadanomolgus, as the specimen exhibits a distinct combination of anatomical features that does not fit the existing genera within the family."

The research was conducted under the Ocean Census programme, a global initiative to document marine life, in collaboration with Dr Chaichat Boonyanusith of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University and Dr Koraon Wongkamhaeng of Kasetsart University, both in Thailand.

The findings were published in the European Journal of Taxonomy on Tuesday.

The discovery builds on previous finds in Turtle Tomb, underscoring the scientific value of exploring specialised marine habitats.

Azman said it also broadened understanding of Sipadan's biodiversity beyond its famous coral reefs and larger marine animals, highlighting the role of less visible, cave-dwelling organisms.