Articles tagged with Crustaceans
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.
A titan triggerfish was observed catching a Red Sea ghost crab in shallow water without beaching itself. This unique behavior highlights the fish's ability to learn and adapt its feeding strategy.
Research reveals that 14 out of 18 species observed suffered damage from pot fishing, including indicators of general health in the marine environment. The study highlights the need for authorities and fishing communities to balance ecology with social and economic considerations.
The article highlights the importance of crabs in Oman's ecology and economy, with Barr Al Hikman nature reserve being a crucial nursery ground for numerous crab species. The research shows that millions of crabs inhabit the reserve, providing food for hundreds of thousands of birds.
Researchers have identified an invasive blood-sucking parasite on mud shrimp in British Columbia's Calvert Island, marking the northern-most record of its spread. The parasite, a bopyrid isopod, decimates mud shrimp populations and disrupts delicate ecosystems.
A new species of freshwater Crustacea, Phallocryptus fahimii, has been identified in the Lut desert in Iran. The discovery highlights the resilience of crustaceans to extreme environments. Found in a small seasonal lake, these animals are adapted to survive for decades in arid conditions.
After a century of being ignored by scientists, the Black sea spider crab has been re-described by a research team led by Dr Vassily Spiridonov. The team analyzed molecular genetic barcode data to confirm that Macropodia czernjawskii is a distinct species with epibiosis, including a non-indigenous red alga species found in its epibiosis.
A two-year project is prototyping miniature fitness trackers and environmental sensors to monitor lobsters' health and shipping conditions. The devices aim to reduce mortality and improve survival in the lobster supply chain, valued at nearly half a billion dollars annually.
Research from Southern Cross University found that imidacloprid, a common agricultural pesticide, can impact the feeding behavior of prawns, leading to nutritional deficiency and reduced flesh quality. Sydney rock oysters are also vulnerable to imidacloprid exposure.
Researchers at UCI are learning about resilience from the mantis shrimp, which has a uniquely designed nanoparticle coating that absorbs and dissipates energy. This finding has significant implications for engineered materials in various industries.
Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have discovered a new species of mud-shrimp, Strianassa lerayi anker, and a highly mobile clam, in Panama's Coiba National Park. The discovery is part of a larger project to better understand the role of microbes in shaping tropical ecosystems.
A 429-million-year-old trilobite fossil's internal structure reveals similarities with modern bee eyes and compound eyes of crustaceans. The findings suggest that vision principles in these insects have remained largely unchanged since the Palaeozoic era.
A researcher at the University of Texas at Arlington is using Daphnia, or water fleas, to study the long-term evolutionary impacts of nuclear testing. By hatching decades-old eggs and measuring their viability and traits, Matthew Walsh aims to understand how nuclear-induced mutations affect generations of water fleas.
A new study found that five different types of seafood - oysters, prawns, squid, crabs, and sardines - contain plastic, with varying levels of pollution. The research used a newly developed method to identify and measure five different plastic types, revealing surprising differences in the amount of plastic present among species.
Climate change is fueling the rapid expansion of invasive species like the Asian shore crab into previously unknown habitats. This study finds that climate warming can predict the speed and extent of these invasions by examining the early developmental stages of larvae, which are often more vulnerable to environmental fluctuations.
Research finds microplastics in deep-sea shrimp do not affect their health, despite high concentrations. The study suggests that shrimp can eliminate ingested fibers through exoskeleton shedding.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have identified a quicker and less expensive way to count sperm in lobsters using DNA technology. This new method could help scientists better understand mating and population sustainability in various species.
Two new species of parasite have been discovered in crabs, which could potentially harm commercially important crustaceans. The researchers' findings suggest that the shore crab's habitat may influence the presence and prevalence of pathogens.
A new study reveals how climate change has enabled Sesarma reticulatum to thrive in southern salt marshes, dramatically altering ecosystem dynamics and clearing grasses that hold the marshes together. This has led to increased rates of creek formation and changes in interactions between predators and prey species.
A species of crab, Sesarma reticulatum, is reshaping the landscape of marshlands in the southeastern US. The crab's burrowing and grazing activities lead to erosion of creek heads, accelerating marsh drainage and altering ecosystem dynamics.
Researchers have developed a sustainable method to recover valuable nutrients from shrimp processing water, including protein and lipids, for use in food or feed. The technique combines food-grade flocculants with dissolved air flotation, capturing up to 98% of the protein present in the water.
Researchers found that microplastic fibers impact lobster larvae's feeding and respiration. Young lobsters accumulate fibers under their shells, while older larvae ingest particles but keep them in their digestive systems.
A team of scientists designed a discontinuous fibrous Bouligand architecture to create exceptional fracture toughness and crack orientation insensitivity. The study reveals the origin of biomimetic microstructures for high-performance advanced composite materials.
Two new tanaid species were discovered by NUS researchers in the eastern Pacific Ocean, providing insights into biodiversity in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. The discovery is significant for environmental management, as it sheds light on the ecosystems and potential resource areas of this understudied region.
A new study finds that sea otter recovery generates significant economic benefits, including increased tourism and carbon capture, which outweigh the losses to commercial fisheries by up to $46 million annually. However, the costs of recovery are not evenly distributed, with Indigenous communities experiencing disproportionate impacts.
Researchers project that American lobster will move further offshore and sea scallops will shift north in the coming decades. The study's findings pose fishery management challenges as changing habitats can impact where species can be caught and who has access to them.
Researchers have successfully detected gamma rays from the Crab Nebula using a next-generation telescope, shedding new light on supernovae and dark matter. The prototype Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope promises to enhance imaging detail over larger field of view across the sky.
A new study suggests that operating with fewer traps and a shorter season in the US lobster fishery may be more profitable for fishermen while also protecting endangered North Atlantic right whales. The research found that Massachusetts fishers have caught more lobster since implementing a three-month fishing closure, while Maine's lob...
Engineers produce high-impact multilayered coatings using chitin from shrimp, mushrooms, and other organisms, which can protect against bullets, lasers, toxic gas, and other dangers. The coatings aim to be biodegradable by design, reducing environmental impact.
A study recorded spiny lobster antennal rasps at distances of up to 400m, with large individuals detectable up to 3 km away in low-noise conditions. This non-invasive tool helps monitor and survey populations of vulnerable spiny lobsters.
New research finds that virus infection rates in lobsters are related to their habitat, with seagrass meadows showing a protective effect against the spread of disease. The study's findings support efforts to safeguard Caribbean spiny lobster populations and boost understanding of viral dynamics.
Researchers have developed a test to identify lobster hybrids resulting from crossbreeding between European and American lobsters, posing a potential threat to conservation efforts. The study highlights the importance of genetics in distinguishing hybrid lobsters that may spread unwanted genes across native populations.
A recent study found that North Atlantic right whales are in poorer body condition than Southern right whales, likely due to vessel strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and changes in food supply. This decline affects the species' reproduction, growth, and survival.
Research reveals North Atlantic right whales are in poorer body condition than Southern right whales, affecting reproduction and growth rates. The study suggests lethal vessel strikes, entanglement, and food scarcity contribute to their decline.
Researchers found that mantis shrimps rely on external cues from the sun, followed by polarization patterns in light, before using their internal navigation system when other options are unavailable. These findings provide new insights into the complex behaviors of these fascinating creatures.
Researchers found that lobsters in Sardinia can eat and break down larger plastic particles, releasing smaller fragments into their intestines. These tiny particles, or "secondary" microplastics, could be more bioavailable to smaller creatures in the deep-sea food chain.
A new clinical test uses sustainable harvesting of horseshoe crab amebocytes to save human lives and spare at-risk population. The method enables fast, affordable, and precise tests on specially treated human blood.
Researchers discovered remains of various marine animals in a Portuguese cave occupied by Neanderthals between 106,000 and 86,000 BCE. This finding suggests that many Neanderthal groups shared similar dietary habits, contradicting the common perception of them as cold-climate hunters.
Researchers have developed a mini movie theater to measure the color spectrum visible to fiddler crabs, revealing their ability to discriminate between different wavelengths of light. The device uses blue and green light-emitting diodes and tilted screens to stimulate the crabs' reaction.
A new study found a dramatic increase in the global abundance of Anisakis worms, also known as herring worms, which can be transmitted to humans through raw or undercooked seafood. The parasite's rise could have implications for human health and marine mammal populations.
Researchers found elevated concentrations of TPT in Chinese white dolphins and finless porpoises, with the highest concentration being five times higher than reported in false killer whales. Biomagnification of TPT compounds has significant implications for local dolphin populations and human health.
Researchers found that ship noise weakens shore crabs' ability to change shell color and respond to danger. The study shows that even for animals not primarily using sound, noise pollution can impact survival behaviors.
Research shows that ship noise affects shore crabs' ability to change color and behave normally, reducing their camouflage effectiveness. The study found that juvenile crabs exposed to ship noise changed color half as quickly, making them less camouflaged.
Research shows that West Coast Dungeness crab numbers are stable or increasing, with Central California catches averaging five times those of past decades. The fishery's success may be attributed to fishing regulations protecting reproductive potential and natural variability in ocean conditions.
A new study reveals that crustaceans like shrimps and lobsters have a similar brain structure to insects, called mushroom bodies, which are essential for learning and memory. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that these structures are unique to insects.
Researchers found that mantis shrimp's hammer blows are significantly weaker in air compared to water, with forces averaging only 18 km/h. The crustaceans may be downgrading their attacks to avoid joint damage and injury.
Researchers found that warmer waters increase the frequency and intensity of snapping shrimp sounds, which could dominate coastal ocean soundscapes. This might impact fish communication, human sonar instruments, and even Navy mine detection systems.
When provided with a reliable shrimp dinner, cuttlefish eat fewer crabs during the day, showcasing selective foraging behavior. They adapt quickly to changes in their environment by leveraging past experiences and adjusting their strategy accordingly.
A new study found that record-breaking whale entanglements in the Pacific Northwest were triggered by a unique marine heatwave, known as the 'Blob', which altered fish populations and habitats. The research has led to the development of online tools to help fishermen avoid entanglement risks.
A recent Portland State University study found that sand crabs' adult mortality increases and reproductive success decreases when exposed to plastic microfibers. Microplastic exposure also affects embryonic development rates, potentially impacting higher trophic levels in the food chain.
A new species of prehistoric scorpion, Parioscorpio venator, is discovered with characteristics similar to present-day scorpions and horseshoe crabs. The fossils suggest that scorpions may have adapted to life on land earlier than previously thought, possibly using similar pathways as modern horseshoe crabs.
Two hermit crab species, Coenobita rugosus and C. perlatus, coexist on the same beaches by selecting differently shaped shells as their homes. The study found that C. rugosus prefers short, spherical shells, while C. perlatus prefers elongated shells with a narrow opening.
Cuttlefish use stereopsis to estimate depth of prey, striking at it with tentacles after coordinating eye movement. This process is similar to that of vertebrates, challenging the understanding of cephalopod visual processing.
Researchers investigated how cuttlefish determine the best distance to strike moving prey and found that they use stereopsis to perceive depth. The study revealed that cuttlefish brains are significantly different from humans in processing vision, with a unique area comparing images from both eyes.
Astronomers use NASA's Great Observatories to create a three-dimensional representation of the dynamic Crab Nebula, an exploding star. The visualization highlights the pulsar at the heart of the nebula and its intricate structures.
Researchers found identical structures in horseshoe crab and ancient sea scorpion eyes, suggesting contrast enhancement evolved over 400 million years. The findings shed light on the evolution of compound eyes in arthropods.