Occurrence in the field of a long-term, year-round, stable population of placozoans

Long-term field studies on placozoans (Trichoplax adhaerens), including both substrate sampling and slide sampling, were carried out at a subtidal site near Shirahama, Japan. Samples of natural substrate materials from the field, such as stones, shells, or fragments of coral, were particularly useful for obtaining placozoans. Results from the substrate sampling indicate that placozoans are present year-round at the study site. Large intermittent peaks in the number of animals collected at the study site occurred roughly once a year, between late summer and the beginning of winter. Placozoans were present every year from 1989 through 2000. A seawater aquarium was also studied and provided a considerable number of placozoans for more than 1 year.