Hairy Lobster of the South Pacific

A 'new' lobsteresque creature, covered in 'hair' has been found 900 miles south of Easter Island.

"Marine biologists have discovered a crustacean in the South Pacific that resembles a lobster and which is covered in what looks like silky fur.
Kiwa hirsuta is so distinct from other species that scientists have created a new taxonomic family for it.

A US-led team found the animal last year in waters 2,300m (7,540ft) deep at a site 1,500km (900 miles) south of Easter Island, an expert has claimed.

In what he has described as a "surprising characteristic", the animal's pincers are covered with sinuous, hair-like strands.

It is 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."

See pic here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4785482.stm

Trader Woody

Freaky! The picture looks like something you would get if you crossed a lobster and a monkey.

Vern

RUN IT'S A MONKSTER!!!

Only Godjira can save us...

Holy crud! That thing is AMAZING!!! Wow....

I'm imagining a new addition to the Teddy Ruxpin line.

Sorry, but the Rapa-Nui discovered them first.

On 2006-03-08 06:45, Tangaroa wrote:
Holy crud! That thing is AMAZING!!! Wow....
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[ Edited by: filslash 2008-09-15 15:39 ]

I don't care what they look like, what do they taste like?

Chicken

It actually a female version of the lobster. They caught this one before it had time to freshen up for a night out.

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Gawd, it looks like a hairy tick.

Or a space creature.

Or a hairy, tick-like space creature.

Hey weren't they a band - the Hairy Lobsters?
Those guys ROCKED!

oh the agony...imagine using the fur-like strands for apparel? That'd be weird. They can name the new line "Lobster Silk, Only the FINEST in the world."

Looks like one of those conga player's shirt:

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On 2006-03-08 12:23, filslash wrote:
It's like a fish, you can pet.

In that case:
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Instructions on how to make your own Kiwa Hirsatuta/Hairy Lobster plush toy!