Hum Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 PARIS, France (AP) -- Divers have discovered a new crustacean in the South Pacific that resembles a lobster and is covered with what looks like silky, blond fur, French researchers said Tuesday. Scientists said the animal, which they named Kiwa hirsuta, was so distinct from other species that they created a new family and genus for it. A team of American-led divers found the animal in waters 2,300 meters (7,540 feet) deep at a site 1,500 kilometers (900 miles) south of Easter Island last year, according to Michel Segonzac of the French Institute for Sea Exploration. The new crustacean is described in the journal of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. The animal is white and 15 centimeters (5.9 inches) long -- about the size of a salad plate. In what Segonzac described as a "surprising characteristic," the animal's pincers are covered with sinuous, hair-like strands. It's also blind. The researchers found it had only "the vestige of a membrane" in place of eyes, Segonzac 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. source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+M2Ys4U Subscriber¹ Posted March 8, 2006 Subscriber¹ Share Posted March 8, 2006 woah, cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galley Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Gee, thanks for giving my nightmares. That thing is seriously ugly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizkit Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 That is way cool. Its neat to here about new animals that we are finding in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menge Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 OMG A HAIRY HEADCRAB!!!! :p seriously cool! used to living at that depth, did it even survive being brought up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scudworth Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 OMG A HAIRY HEADCRAB!!!! :p seriously cool! used to living at that depth, did it even survive being brought up? I hope not, would be a rather pathetic death. Survive a 2,300 metre ascent and be taken out of your natural environment, and have a pin stuck through your brain or something, just so people could stare at your corpse and go "EWWWW GROSSSS." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurë Veteran Posted March 9, 2006 Veteran Share Posted March 9, 2006 I want one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sensayshun Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 So cute and cuddly :wub: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiagosilva29 Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 ^ You won't find it so cuddly when it cuts out your fingers. It sure is a bizarre animal. The family was named Kiwaida, from Kiwa, the goddess of crustaceans in Polynesian mythology. An 'hairy' goddess too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Bourricot Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 I hope not, would be a rather pathetic death. Survive a 2,300 metre ascent and be taken out of your natural environment, and have a pin stuck through your brain or something, just so people could stare at your corpse and go "EWWWW GROSSSS." It's a problem always faced by scientific crews - they'd pick up samples, take them to sea level and the things would literally explode because of the massive drop in pressure. Another problem is that all species found down there appeared to be blind, however this could have been due to the submarines' lamps destroying their eyes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemania Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 It's a problem always faced by scientific crews - they'd pick up samples, take them to sea level and the things would literally explode because of the massive drop in pressure. Another problem is that all species found down there appeared to be blind, however this could have been due to the submarines' lamps destroying their eyes... Most of these deep sea exploration has special containers to bring speciman up to surface levels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacal Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 Gee, thanks for giving my nightmares. That thing is seriously ugly! beware, it sneaks upon you while you're asleep and tickles your brain :| :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristotle-dude Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 Hairy Lobster and the Goblet of Butter. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Golden Deal Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 This reminds me of that scene in 'Brotherhood of the Wolf' (I think it's called Pacte des Loups in French) where the naturalist convinces the room that he found a furry trout in the St. Lawrence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quigley0 Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 Hmm, i'm not sure i'd want that on my dinner plate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony_Yayo Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 Its cute tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cchasem Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 i wonder if they are delicious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mueller287 Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 its so cute! i want one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panacik Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Ill have the lobster please. I will use the hairs to clean between my teeth after the meal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aud Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 It's interesting that half of the posters immediately thought about eating the lobster. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts