new species discovered: \'Furry lobster\' find in Pacific

[FrankZappa]

this thing is freaky looking. It\'s cool that they keep finding new life, especially like this in an area otherwise thought inhospitable.

Marine biologists have discovered a crustacean in the South Pacific that resembles a lobster and which is 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.

Details appear in the journal of Paris\' National Museum of Natural History.

The animal is white and 15cm (5.9 ins) 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.

K. hirsuta is blind; the researchers found it had only "the vestige of a membrane" in place of eyes, Ifremer researcher said.

The researchers 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.

The diving expedition was organized by Robert Vrijenhoek of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in California.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4785482.stm

[Mamalakabubadaya]

that thing is creepy looking!! i definitely would not want to have a run in with that guy at the beach. yuck. i think it\'s neat that the scientists found a new species, it makes you wonder what other unusual scary things live under the sea that haven\'t been discovered yet. i\'m fascinated by weird underwater creatures/legends like the giant squid shown on unsolved mysteries or something that has never actually been found completely in tact. supposedly giant squid are at least the length of a school bus.

[Spacey]

that thing is stupid looking and should have never been discovered.

What is the purpose of a furry lobster?

[Dyed_Tie]

that thing is stupid looking and should have never been discovered.

What is the purpose of a furry lobster?

[/S]


Yeah, how dare it be found by guys exploring the sea floor.  The nerve of that thing, having hair.  That\'s a mammals job buddy!!!  Stupid crustacean thinks it\'s people!!!  :no:

[Spacey]

^^^ Could not have stated it better.

[zuke583]

with this new discovery, i have become much more optimistic in my search for the bearded clam

[jocelyn]

^^^ perfect

That thing is the stuff of nightmares. *shiver*

However it definitely is really cool that they found something so unique that it needed a whole new family created for it.

[Lexington]

just like TB! (i know that was a little corny, but i had to)

[Jim Cobb]

i wonder how it tastes with lemon and butter.

[Todd]

I wonder if I\'m allergic to it like I am a normal lobster??? Let\'s go there for dinner next week!!!

[Jim Cobb]

only if you\'re buyin

[sallyalli]

^^^
:no:
Scary lookin thing...

[chooglincharley]

i dunno, but i bet you it would be better than NE lobster

[sallyalli]

i dunno, but i bet you it would be better than NE lobster

NE as in New England or Nebraska?
Is NE the abbreviation for Nebraska?
Does Nebraska have Lobster?

[Overexjoesure]

Am I only the one who is disturbed by its name... I mean c\'mon FURRY LOBSTER.... FURRY LOBSTER