Researchers in China have named a newly discovered fish species after a Studio Ghibli character, based on its similar facial markings, which have been described as 'face paint'.
The Branchiostegus sanae is a deepwater tilefish and was discovered when scientists noticed a unique cheek pattern on some variants of deepwater tilefish in online seafood markets. Deepwater tilefish are often found in seafood markets in East and Southeast Asia. As their name suggests, they're often found deep in the ocean – with some species commonly found at 600m below the surface.
The researchers were inspired to name this new species after the female protagonist, San, in the Studio Ghibli film Princess Mononoke. The facial markings of Branchiostegus sanae resemble the markings on San's face from Hayao Miyazaki's animated film, with 'sanae' as the chosen descriptor.
The term 'Mononoke' (もののけ) refers to supernatural spirits in Japanese folklore, which also ties in with the common name Chinese fishermen use for this species: 'ghost horsehead fish'.
“Finding a new species in this group is a rare and fortunate event, especially one as distinctive as Branchiostegus sana," says Haochen Huang, lead author of the study. “In Princess Mononoke, San is a young woman raised by wolves after being abandoned by her human parents. She sees herself as a part of the forest and fights to protect it. The film delves into the complex relationship between humans and nature, promoting a message of harmonious coexistence between the two: something we hope to echo through this naming.”
The study was led by researchers from the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Science, Zhejiang University and Ocean University of China.
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