Articles tagged with Crustaceans
A newly discovered ancient crab fossil, Cretapsara athanata, has shed new light on the evolution of crabs. The 100 million-year-old fossil, found in amber, provides evidence that crabs transitioned to land around 100 million years ago, bridging a previously unknown gap in their evolutionary history.
A team of international scientists has discovered a 5-millimeter crab in 100-million-year-old amber, pushing back the age of non-marine crabs to at least 100 million years ago. The find provides new insights into the evolution of true crabs and their spread across the world.
A team of scientists has discovered the oldest modern-looking crab, Cretapsara athanata, preserved in 100-million-year-old amber. The fossil is remarkably complete, including delicate tissues and well-developed gills, revealing an aquatic to semi-aquatic animal that defies explanation for its preservation in tree resin.
A 100-million-year-old crab fossil discovered in amber is helping scientists understand the evolution of non-marine crabs. The fossil, named Cretapsara athanata, provides crucial evidence that these crustaceans colonized land around 125 million years ago, bridging a long-standing gap in the fossil record.
Invasive fish and crustaceans significantly reduce lake organism abundance, degrading water quality. Researchers provide guidance on managing waterbodies to prevent ecosystem collapse.
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science has sequenced the genome of the blue crab, revealing approximately 24,000 genes and a genome length that is one third of the human genome. This breakthrough will aid in fisheries policies, aquaculture, and potentially track food source origins.
Scientists at UEA have identified a way to determine the age of lobsters using DNA. The method is based on quantifying DNA changes that accumulate with age within a lobster. This breakthrough could help manage lobster fisheries more sustainably by providing accurate estimates of lobster ages.
Researchers found that areas protected under 'whole-site' Marine Protected Area (MPA) status have four-fold increases in fish abundance and diversity compared to unprotected areas. The study also showed significant benefits for commercially important fish species and conservation.
The LSU College of the Coast & Environment is conducting research to identify how climate change affects the Florida stone crab fishery. The team will investigate and model how changing ocean temperatures and acidity impact stone crab larval development, behavior, and dispersal.
A study by University of Plymouth researchers found that seabed habitats and species recover more quickly following extreme storms than from the impacts of bottom-towed fishing. The research examined the impact of the 2013/14 winter storms on the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area, off southern England's coast.
Rare fossils from the Cambrian period confirm the presence of an ancestral frontal domain in arthropods, which gives rise to crucial neural centers involved in decision-making and memory. The discovery also sheds new light on the evolutionary origin of visual systems in arthropods.
A new light-producing bacterial reporter is being used to quantify plant resistance levels through imaging, allowing for the simultaneous analysis of over 30 Arabidopsis mutants. This novel method shows a high correlation with conventional culture-based techniques, demonstrating its robustness and potential applications.
The Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) has accurately measured the brightness of the Crab Nebula over a record-breaking energy range. The measurement confirms past findings and provides direct evidence for the acceleration of high-energy electrons in the nebula.
The study found that streams with high detritivore diversity have higher rates of decomposition, but also discovered that the loss of these organisms can slow down this process. The researchers concluded that if detritivores continue to decline, ecosystems will struggle to sustain life due to reduced nutrient recycling.
New research suggests abnormal ocean currents, rather than temperature changes, cause the occasional appearance of pelagic red crabs outside their native range. A seawater flow index was created to help researchers detect abnormal currents, providing a tool for understanding climate change and its effects on coastal species.
A study by University of California San Diego researchers found that lobsters can absorb vaporized THC through their gills and exhibit reduced locomotor activity. However, the effects on detection of hot water stimuli were minimal, leaving it unclear whether this constitutes feeling pain.
Astronomers have confirmed the existence of a new type of supernova, electron capture supernova, through observations of SN 2018zd. The discovery confirms a prediction made four decades ago and provides new insights into the life and death of stars.
A worldwide team of scientists has found evidence for a new type of stellar explosion - electron-capture supernovae. The discovery sheds new light on the thousand-year mystery of the supernova from A.D. 1054.
Researchers have confirmed the existence of an elusive new type of stellar explosion, the electron-capture supernova. This discovery sheds light on a thousand-year-old mystery surrounding the 1054 AD supernova visible globally, now believed to be an electron-capture supernova.
A team of researchers from Singapore and Japan have identified a new genus and species of xanthid crab with strongly asymmetrical male and female reproductive structures. The discovery reveals an evolutionary innovation that is unique among the 7,800 known crab species, allowing these crabs to mate effectively.
A new fossil analysis published in Biology Letters reveals that woodlice cousins, Oxyuropoda, existed on Irish land 360 million years ago. The study uses modern imaging technology to recreate the image of this ancient creature, providing insight into the evolution of crustaceans and their colonization of land.
Researchers found that warmer, more acidic water accelerated the development of Atlantic mangrove fiddler crab embryos but increased mortality rates. The study warns of potential ecosystem consequences if climate change alters the lifecycle of these species.
A study found that social behavior in snapping shrimps influences genome size, with eusocial species having larger genomes and more transposable elements. Genome size varies widely between species and is generally unrelated to complexity.
A new study shows that snowflake morays can grab and swallow prey on land thanks to an extra set of jaws in their throats, allowing them to utilize different environments for food resources. This unique feeding mechanism enables at least one species of moray to feed on land without relying on water.
A study by Columbia University researchers found that eusocial snapping shrimp have larger genomes due to an accumulation of 'jumping' genes called transposable elements. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the relationship between genome evolution and social behavior in various species, including humans.
Researchers discovered a four-layered exoskeleton with distinctive micro-structure and chemical characteristics that restrict crack propagation and maximize strain energy release during deformation. Bio-mimetic structures fabricated via 3D printing demonstrated improved toughness and strength, guiding high-performance composites fabric...
A trawl ban has led to significant increases in the richness of species and abundance of benthic marine organisms. The study found substantial reductions in suspended solids and increases in total organic matter after the ban.
Tufts University researchers develop a silk-based leather material with similar texture and flexibility to real leather, using sustainable sources and environmentally friendly chemical processes. The material can be printed into various patterns and textures and is biodegradable.
Researchers developed a camera inspired by the mantis shrimp to visualize cancer cells during surgery, combining it with tumor-targeted drugs for enhanced accuracy. The technology aims to prevent cancer recurrence and improve patient recovery.
Researchers at George Mason University are studying the impact of castrating parasites on an estuarine crab host in the Chesapeake Bay. They will investigate how environmental salinity affects parasite survival and metamorphosis.
Researchers discover that mantis shrimp larvae can unleash powerful punches as little as 9 days after hatching, with limb accelerations reaching blistering speeds. The tiny creatures' appendages operate similarly to those of adult mantis shrimp, but scaled down, and can hurl the limb at rotational speeds of ~16,500deg/s.
Larval mantis shrimp display impressive accelerations despite being smaller than expected, highlighting the limitations of theoretical models. Their transparent exoskeletons allow researchers to study the inner workings of their spring-latch mechanisms.
A new hydrogel-based material has been developed that mimics the structure of a lobster's underbelly, exhibiting remarkable fatigue-resistance and stretch properties. The material's angled architecture is thought to hinder crack propagation, allowing it to withstand repeated stretches and strains without tearing.
Researchers observed that X-ray emissions coincide with giant radio pulses from the Crab Pulsar, providing constraints on mechanisms underlying these phenomena. The study found that total emitted energy during GRPs is tens to hundreds of times higher than previously known.
A global science collaboration using NICER data discovered X-ray surges accompanying giant radio pulses from the Crab Nebula's pulsar. The finding shows that these bursts release dozens to hundreds of times higher total emitted energy than previously estimated.
A group of scientists, led by Teruaki Enoto, have discovered that the 'giant radio pulses' emitted by the Crab pulsar include an increase in x-ray emissions, making them hundreds of times more energetic. This finding provides new insights into the mysterious phenomenon of fast radio bursts and puts constraints on models of these events.
A recent study using tagging and mark-recapture methods found that Maryland's recreational blue crab harvest amounts to 11% of the total male commercial take, compared to the previous estimate of 8%. The study aimed to provide a more accurate picture of recreational crabbing in the state.
A study led by University of California, Davis found that invasive European green crabs increased 30-fold after 90% were removed from a California estuary. The explosion was due to cannibalization of younger individuals by adult decapod crustacea.
Researchers at Harvard University found that the crab-like body plan evolved at least five times independently in both true crabs (Brachyura) and false crabs (Anomura). The team also discovered that the crab-like body plan has been lost at least seven times in a process called decarcinization. This study provides insights into the evol...
Researchers developed a new optical sensor that mimics the mantis shrimp's eye, enabling simultaneous hyperspectral and polarimetric imaging. The SIMPOL sensor can detect spectral features 10 times narrower than typical sensors, opening doors to organic electronic sensing technologies.
A new study published in Aquatic Toxicology found that shrimp on the South Coast of England have significantly lower sperm counts due to pollution. The research also discovered a decline in population density and fertility issues among other marine creatures, including humans.
Researchers have developed equations to estimate the time an object has spent drifting at sea and plot possible drift paths of a missing boat. By analyzing the growth rate of Lepas anserifera attached to the object, scientists can narrow down the search area and find missing persons more efficiently.
Researchers found that amphipod claws snap at nearly 100 km/h, accelerating to over 30 meters per second. This unique adaptation could inspire human engineering for fast-repeated movement.
Longfin damselfish aggressively defend algal farms, providing a protective refuge for planktonic mysid shrimps. In return, the shrimps excrete nutrients that enrich the algae, benefiting the damselfish's body condition and diet.
Researchers found that managing pot fishing intensity at an optimum level increases quality of catch, benefits environment, and makes industry more sustainable. The study provides evidence of a 'threshold' for pot fishing intensity, highlighting compatibility with marine conservation when managed correctly.
Astronomers have discovered a unique 'heart-shape' with intricate gas filaments at the centre of the Crab Nebula. The new 3D reconstruction challenges traditional supernova theories and provides unprecedented insights into the explosion.
New research reveals large groups tend to think alike, adopting popular categories even when presented with contradictory information. The study also explores how bots can manipulate public opinion, leading to the spread of erroneous ideas.
Researchers discovered that amphipods can close their claws in under 0.01% of a second, generating high-energy water jets and audible pops. The tiny creatures' fast movements defy physics laws, with potential applications for engineers and designers.
New research reveals that marine reserves can increase fish catches by 225% and enhance the fishery, contrary to long-held skepticism. By providing a refuge for stock rebuilding and spillover into nearby waters, MPAs lead to improved catch rates.
A new study found that lobsters' genes respond strongly to ocean acidification and temperature changes, potentially impacting their growth and survival. The research suggests that lobsters may be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than previously believed.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a new method to create stronger 3D printed concrete using spiral patterns inspired by lobster shells. The twist patterns improve the material's durability and enable precise structural support where needed.
The parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium infects marine crustaceans globally, resulting in mortalities due to organ malfunction. The pathogen has developed into an emerging epidemic threat to China's sustainable crab culture and wild populations.
Researchers studied the impact of a marine heatwave-associated harmful algal bloom on Dungeness crab fishing communities. They found that 71% of vessels temporarily left the industry, but those who adapted by participating in other fisheries or moving to more favorable locations were better resilient.
A study by Arizona State University found that approximately 3.4% to 4.3% of consumed seafood is mislabeled, with substituted species coming from fisheries performing worse in terms of population impacts 86% of the time.
A Clemson University researcher has discovered a new parasitic worm that negatively affects reproduction in the Caribbean spiny lobster. The worm, named Carcinonemertes conanobrieni, is believed to be the first of its kind to infect this species in the Caribbean and western Atlantic Ocean.
Researchers found that introducing native herbivorous crabs to coral reefs in the Florida Keys led to rapid declines in seaweed cover and returned small corals and fishes. The crabs improve habitat conditions for corals and fishes, providing a new tool for reef restoration.
A new study reveals that a nuclear war could lead to significant losses in wild-caught seafood, potentially rivaling the impacts of climate change on fisheries. The team estimates that a large-scale nuclear conflict could reduce seafood production by as much as 30%, with potential losses of tens of millions of tons per year.
The NUS team has developed a method to convert crustacean shells and wood waste into L-DOPA, a widely used drug for Parkinson's disease, and Proline, essential for collagen and cartilage formation. The process combines chemical and biological approaches, potentially reducing reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels.
Mantis shrimps surveyed burrows before evicting rivals, with the ideal burrow size found to be a balance between being large enough to fit into and small enough to block entry. The species, known for their powerful strikes, compromise on burrow size when faced with occupied homes.
A new study maps the appetites of coastal predators, showing that rising temperatures can shape entire communities of predators and alter biodiversity. The global 'BiteMap' was created using handmade squid baits called 'squid pops,' which were used to entice fish and crabs to reveal their feeding patterns.