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Higher Carbon Levels in Sea Water Changes Hermit Crab Behavior

More research is proving that the theory of animals becoming bolder with climate is correct.  Sea water is retaining more carbon dioxide.  This is altering the body chemistry of some animals. Tests were done on the hermit crab and a "toy" of its main predator the octopus.  In a laboratory, hermit crabs were split into two group and put into aquariums.  The water in one aquarium was at a pH of 7.6; the other had a pH of 7.1.  This may seem to be only a small amount of difference in acidity but it was significant on behavior. The flicking of antennae (testing for danger of preying animals) and oxygen levels were measured.  The hermit crabs in the more acidic pH 7.1 water flicked their antennae less often.  Crabs in the 7.6 aquarium definitely responded much quicker when a toy octopus was dipped into the water. Visitors at the Third International Symposium on the Ocean in a High-CO2 World had a good laugh at the crab behavior.  A more serious pro...

New Lobsters Found in Australia

New lobsters have been found in Australia. Six species new to Australia were discovered off the western. Two are new finds to the world. The most interesting is Galacantha subspinosa which is bright red in its live state, before being cooked. It will make only a small meal being only a few inched across. There are hundreds of lobster species worldwide. They live in the shallows and the deep ocean. Those along the coast are related to crabs though they are called lobsters. The squat lobster is of this type having large front claws. The red G. subspinosa new to Australia would fit well into aquatic themes parks because of its pretty color. This squat lobster is not in sufficient numbers to be an economic fishing species. Furthermore it has a small body which would not provide much "meat". http://www.adventure--australia.blogspot.com/ http://www.tysaustralia.blogspot.com/ http://www.feeds.feedburner.com/AdventureAustralia http://www.technorati.com/blogs/http://adventure--austr...