It has been discovered in western Pacific Ocean by a group of Japanese scientists from the University of Tsukuba.

[1] Tissues contain exogenous DNA corresponding to bivalve mollusks, the vesicomyid Acila castrensis and Nucula nucleus.

[1] Comparison of mitochondrial DNA and protein sequences showed that the species Xenoturbella japonica is the sister group to X. bocki and X. hollandorum into a clade of 'shallow-water' taxa.

Recent research suggests it belongs to the clade Xenacoelomorpha having close evolutionary relationships with early bilaterians.

This is important for scientists and interested parties on clues about the earliest stages of animal evolution.