Image
Rare Lobster Hatchlings Will Inform Novel DNA Research at SWAG视频
A Large Litter of Multicolored Lobsters Will Aid SWAG视频 Researchers in Uncovering the Genetics Behind Rare Shell Coloration
The SWAG视频 is the home of two families of tiny, baby lobsters 鈥 dozens of them, each no larger than a thumbtack 鈥 which are currently being raised and studied by students and faculty as part of an ongoing, novel research project into the genetic basis for their rare coloration.
Miniature crustaceans in various shades of brown, blue, and orange have taken up residence in the University鈥檚 Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center. There are currently 140 of these small lobsters, which hatched earlier this summer and have been molting and growing ever since.
They are the offspring of two adult female lobsters who also call SWAG视频 home: Peaches, a rare, 1-in-30-million orange lobster who captured hearts everywhere when she arrived at SWAG视频 last year, and Norma, a typical brown or 鈥渕ottled鈥 lobster, who arrived at SWAG视频 in June.
Clockwise, from left: Over a dozen of Peaches鈥 offspring share her rare orange coloration; several molted larvae are shown through a dissecting microscope; dozens of the larvae show normal and even rare blue coloration; an early stage larva as seen through a dissecting microscope; and Norma, a recently acquired, normal-colored lobster. Photos courtesy of Markus Frederich.
But what can these tiny crustaceans tell us about why some lobsters are orange, or blue, or even purple or split down the middle? SWAG视频 student Ruby Motulsky is trying to find out.
Motulsky (Marine Sciences, 鈥25), who uses them/them pronouns, is an undergraduate researcher in the of Markus Frederich, Ph.D., professor of marine sciences at SWAG视频.
In April, Motulsky was awarded $5,000 from the Bioscience Association of Maine to fund their summer research examining the number of lobsters that share their mothers鈥 coloration. The work is part of a novel effort launched by Frederich this winter to decode the molecular basis for rare shell coloration through noninvasive methods.
Ruby Motulsky holds an egg-bearing Peaches with Prof. Markus Frederich, Ph.D.
With its reputation for excellence in the marine sciences, SWAG视频 has become a magnet for rare lobsters in recent years, housing an impressive lineup including blue, orange, yellow, split-colored, purple, and calico varieties 鈥 each with rarity ranging from 1-in-1 million to 1-in-50 million.
The baby lobsters currently being raised at SWAG视频 鈥 100 from Peaches and 40 from Norma 鈥 will soon have even more siblings. Pineapple, another rare orange lobster housed at SWAG视频, is currently bearing eggs that are expected to hatch next spring.
Read press coverage in (Aug. 2, 2024), , , , , (Aug. 5, 2024), the , , , , and .