JPHiP Forum

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: shadowstar on March 09, 2006, 10:20:11 AM

Title: Hairy "lobster" found in South Pacific
Post by: shadowstar on March 09, 2006, 10:20:11 AM: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4785482.stm

(http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/1619/hairylobster6ti.jpg)

Marine biologists have discovered a crustacean in the South Pacific that resembles a lobster or crab covered in what looks like silky fur. Kiwa hirsuta is so distinct from other species that scientists have created a new taxonomic family for it. A US-led team found the animal last year in waters 2,300m (7,540ft) deep at a site 1,500km (900 miles) south of Easter Island, an expert has claimed.

The "Yeti Crab", as it has been dubbed, is white and 15cm (5.9in) long, according to Michel Segonzac of the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer). In what he has described as a "surprising characteristic", the animal's pincers are covered with sinuous, hair-like strands. It seems to reside around some Pacific deep sea hydrothermal vents, which spew out fluids that are toxic to many animals.

Dr Segonzac told the BBC News website that the "hairy" pincers contained lots of filamentous bacteria. Some scientists think the bacteria detoxify poisonous minerals from the water, allowing K. hirsuta to survive around the vents. Alternatively, the animal may actually feed on the bacteria that live in the hair-like strands. But observations of its behaviour suggest it may be a general carnivore. Dr Segonzac said he and his colleagues saw the animal fighting with two crabs over a piece of shrimp.

From its general shape and appearance, the new creature resembles freshwater "squat lobsters" found in South America. But Dr Segonzac said that genetic analysis showed it was closer to marine members of this group. K. hirsuta is blind; the researchers found it had only "the vestige of a membrane" in place of eyes, the Ifremer researcher said.

Paul Clark of the department of zoology at the Natural Histroy Museum said the characteristic strands, known as setae, that cover the crustacean's pincers are similar to those found on Chinese mitten crabs and some other crustacean species. "Whether these setae are for growing or cultivating bacteria, I've no idea, but that could be one explanation. But it would also be interesting to find out whether there's anything else living in there," Mr Clark told the BBC News website. Researchers have found other small crustaceans taking refuge in the setae of mitten crabs.

The team that found the crustacean said that while legions of new ocean species are discovered each year, it is quite rare to find one that merits a new family. The family was named Kiwaida, from Kiwa, the goddess of crustaceans in Polynesian mythology.
Title: Hairy "lobster" found in South Pacific
Post by: JFC on March 10, 2006, 01:22:12 AM: So how's it taste? :P
Title: In other news, I will never swim again
Post by: U.S.S. John E. Badass on March 10, 2006, 01:45:49 AM: I wonder if it's even edible. I mean, it lives under some pretty extreme conditions.

But finding a new family of animals is an awesome discovery regardless of whether it's delicious. Go marine biology!
Title: Hairy "lobster" found in South Pacific
Post by: JTRIX on March 10, 2006, 01:59:42 AM: since they are living deep in the ocean floor, they are mostly likely flat or small in size due to the water pressure causing the cells to be hard to go outward.

I'm suspecting the setae are used to grow symbionts that can either provide food source for this lobster, or fixing some chemicals from the hydrothermal vents to prevent this lobster from toxicity.

anyhow it is great to know more marine species. And we need to prevent them from extinct, by keeping the oceans clean!
Title: Hairy "lobster" found in South Pacific
Post by: tenkei on March 10, 2006, 07:06:52 AM: holy shit. that thing looks fucken creepy man... seriously gives me goosebumps looking at it...

but yeah, its cool to find new species and stuff
Title: Hairy "lobster" found in South Pacific
Post by: ctz on March 10, 2006, 07:37:55 AM: I guess thet find soon a reason to kill this animal extinct too. Maybe the fur is great for coats or something :)
Title: Hairy "lobster" found in South Pacific
Post by: maliciel on March 10, 2006, 09:38:56 AM: Kiwa Hirsuta sounds like a Pokemon. Kinda.

Pretty cool looking. Probably would taste good with butter.
Title: Hairy "lobster" found in South Pacific
Post by: shadowstar on March 10, 2006, 10:35:06 AM: Quote from: JFC
So how's it taste? :P

it would really suck if you got some hairs stuck in your teeth, though. lol!
Title: Hairy "lobster" found in South Pacific
Post by: Vodka on March 10, 2006, 02:41:29 PM: That is freakin' ugly!

Quote from: ctz
I guess thet find soon a reason to kill this animal extinct too. Maybe the fur is great for coats or something :)

I can see it now, "Yeti Crab" coats...I swear someone would buy it.
Title: Hairy "lobster" found in South Pacific
Post by: Lunar on March 10, 2006, 03:37:28 PM: i dun even wann know how it taste when i look @ this pic :x
Title: Hairy "lobster" found in South Pacific
Post by: Vodka on March 10, 2006, 03:48:11 PM: Quote from: Lunarr
i dun even wann know how it taste when i look @ this pic :x

Haha, yeah I'll stick to normal lobster please...
Title: Hairy "lobster" found in South Pacific
Post by: daigong on March 22, 2006, 08:33:20 AM: So a lobster fucked a mammal and we got this? NICE!
Title: Hairy "lobster" found in South Pacific
Post by: ayou099 on March 22, 2006, 09:41:16 PM: Quote
So how's it taste?

How about using the hair for a coat :P :P

^^
Title: Hairy "lobster" found in South Pacific
Post by: hide321 on April 22, 2006, 06:22:12 PM: Any new animal discovery is big in my opinion, so this is great news. Now if they can just find dragons, bigfoot, and mothmen then I'm straight.
Title: Hairy "lobster" found in South Pacific
Post by: Dragon88 on April 23, 2006, 12:56:13 AM: Wow that thing looks freaky! Holy crap.