Dental Floss with Your Lobster? (Non-Ceph)

[Fujisawas Sake]

Animal news, feature and articles | Live Science

This is an interesting news species of lobster caught in the deep sea near hydrothermal vents. Its been placed in its own family. I find the body plan particularly interesting.

Another article here:
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Furry 'lobster' found in Pacific

The "hair" may actually serve both a sensory and decontamination function. Very cool, huh?

John

 

[bathypol]

ok, that is just odd looking.

 

[Tintenfisch]

Ha, cool!! The packhorse 'crayfish' (actually lobsters, but don't get me started - and why is a new lobster immediately given the common name 'Yeti crab'?! ) in NZ have similar (though much smaller) tufts of setae on their legs. When you dry a discarded molt, the tufts are actually quite soft. You can also see something similar on the mouthparts of this animal (different species).

 

[Fujisawas Sake]

ok, that is just odd looking.

But isn't that one of the more wonderful things about evolution? I think they're probably dual sensory clusters/symbiont housing, but its a wonderful thought about how far life can go to survive.

John

 

[sorseress]

Fascinating!

 

[Fujisawas Sake]

When you dry a discarded molt, the tufts are actually quite soft.

Once again, an astounding and beautiful example of convergent evolution among the arthropoda, let alone with vertebrates' skins - scales, hair, feathers, etc.

John

 

[bathypol]

Hey, I'm not knocking odd looking.....I love those unusual deep sea creatures they keep finding. And you're right, its pretty amazing how things are able to adapt

 

[Toren]

in NZ have similar (though muich smaller) tufts of setae on their legs. When you dry a discarded molt, the tufts are actually quite soft. You can also see somethindg similar on the mouthparts of this animal (different species).

Hey! You can see something similar on MY mouthparts too!
You rock, Kat.
That is all.

 

[Fujisawas Sake]

I wish the article had been a little more detailed on the anatomy of the "Yeti Crab". I would like to know more about the gills and anatomical structure of the setae.

John

 

[Tintenfisch]

You rock, Kat.

Um, thanks. Obviously not because of my stellar typing skills.

 

[um...]

Here's the paper.