Divers astonished to discover a furry blond... LOBSTER.

Grimmlok · March 8th, 2006, 10:11 AM

Quote:

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.

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

Tiara · March 8th, 2006, 10:23 AM

Thats strange, something that lives under water having hair! Wonder how long it'll be before they're serving up furry lobsters in restaurants!

Its a Paris wannabe Lobster!!

LynnieD · March 8th, 2006, 11:47 AM

That's kind of fucked up....yet, kind of cool too.

Hope they don't kill this breed off too...

UndercoverGator · March 8th, 2006, 12:15 PM

Wonder what it tastes like steamed and served with a soupcon of clarified butter?

Aurora · March 8th, 2006, 12:22 PM

I think it looks like a tic or a flea. Gross

Grimmlok · March 8th, 2006, 12:23 PM

Well, lobtsers are pretty much sea-bugs that eat rotting carcasses on the ocean floor.. mmmmmmmmm.

UndercoverGator · March 8th, 2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimmlok

Well, lobtsers are pretty much sea-bugs that eat rotting carcasses on the ocean floor.. mmmmmmmmm.

So are shrimp, crawfish and oysters but I'd still eat seafood for every meal if I could get away with it.mmmmm

Grimmlok · March 8th, 2006, 01:45 PM

I know.. sea bugs turn rotting offal into deliciousness!

Sojiita · March 8th, 2006, 07:36 PM

OK..how close was the nearest nuclear waste dump/plant to where they found this thing???

SVZ · March 8th, 2006, 07:38 PM

*barf* eeeeeeeeeeeew

Lobelia · March 8th, 2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVZ

*barf* eeeeeeeeeeeew

ITA. It creeps me out. It looks like a bleached mutated orangutan.

SVZ · March 8th, 2006, 07:45 PM

it reminds me more of a tarantula, toilet brush hybrid.

twitchy · March 8th, 2006, 08:06 PM

I was thinking it was more of a cross between a tick and a muppet.

Sojiita · March 8th, 2006, 08:27 PM

It looks like part of a discarded Mardi Gras costume!

deckchick · March 8th, 2006, 10:20 PM

Quote:

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.

How the hell did they get down that far? thats 2.3 kilometers or almost 1 1/2 miles! I am amazed at technology...