Scientists have introduced a new species of hermit crayfish: "Strawberry claws" are strikingly bright. Photo.
Scientists have presented a new species of hermit crayfish for science. The researchers named it "Strawberry Claws" because it has "the most pink legs and claws you've ever seen."
Members of the genus Strigopagurus, to which Strawberry Claws belongs, are mostly found in the waters around Australia. One of the special features of this cancer is stridulation: by bending and unbending parts of their claws, they make a sound that scares away other animals, IFLScience writes.
"We immediately realized that this is a special reclusive cancer," said Marissa McNamara, head of the Queensland Museum's collection, who worked on the first scientific description of the new species.
Dr. Marissa McNamara holds a Strawberry Claw.
Source: Museum of Queensland
The few specimens of Strawberry Claws that have been studied so far come from catches off the coast of southeast Queensland. Scientists emphasize that there is still much that is not known about their underwater community.
Strawberry claws are found in the deep waters of the continental shelf, at about 120-260 meters, experts say. They are also quite large for a hermit crayfish - the specimen on which the official scientific description is based is 13.9 millimeters long.
But the biggest feature of this crayfish is its striking coloration with incredible pinkish-red legs and red spots on its claws, the researchers say.
"Our natural history collections are more than just preserved specimens. They are vital tools for scientific discovery, conservation and public education," said Jim Thompson, CEO of the Queensland Museum.
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