Discovered a new species of crab wearing a furry 'coat'

An Australian family discovered a strange-looking crab washed up on a beach near the city of Denmark in Western Australia, Live Science on June 30 reported. They sent the specimen to Andrew Hosie, curator of crustaceans and worms at the Western Australian Museum. Hosie identified it as a member of the family Dromiidae, but it looked very unusual.

The hairy crab discovered in Western Australia.

"The flaccidity is the hallmark that helps us identify the species. Sponge crabs are often covered with hair, but look more like felt or velvet than this extremely messy 'coat'," says Hosie.

Members of the family Sponge Crab use their sharp front claws to collect sponges and Ascidiacea - a group of filter-eating organisms such as seagulls - and then use special hind legs to hold the debris above their heads. . The accumulated debris forms a cap for the crab, making it difficult to detect by predatory fish, octopus and other carnivorous crabs. Sponges can also release toxic substances that make crabs unattractive to predators.

When he received a specimen of the shaggy crab, Hosie contacted marine biologist Colin McLay, a former associate professor at the University of Canterbury who has studied Sponge Crab for decades. McLay confirmed this is a new species of crab.

The new crab species has been scientifically named Lamarckdromia beagle in reminiscent of the HMS Beagle, the ship that brought the famous British naturalist Charles Darwin to Albany, Australia, in 1836. "This voyage is believed to have had an impact. profound insight into Darwin, leading him on the path to building the theory of natural selection," Hosie said. In addition, the name "beagle" also fits the new crab species because its fluffy coat has a reddish brown color similar to the features on the face and shoulders of the beagle breed.