A unique discovery was made recently off the coast of Newcastle, New Hampshire, when a local lobsterman caught a rare cotton candy-colored lobster. This extraordinary crustacean, boasting vibrant hues of blue, pink, and purple, was spared from becoming a meal and instead donated to the Seacoast Science Center, located in Rye, New Hampshire’s Odiorne Point State Park. Despite its candy-like appearance, this lobster’s wild colors are the result of a rare genetic mutation rather than anything related to taste.
The Science Behind the Colors
The striking colors of the cotton candy lobster are attributed to a genetic variation that affects the expression of a carotenoid pigment called astaxanthin. According to Sam Rutka, an Aquarist at the Seacoast Science Center, lobsters typically display a mix of red, yellow, and blue pigments, which combine to create the familiar mottled pattern of oranges, reds, blues, and browns that serve as their natural camouflage. In rare cases, these pigments are either underexpressed or overexpressed, leading to the creation of more unusual and vibrant colors.
The Rarity of Cotton Candy Lobsters
Cotton candy lobsters are incredibly rare, with estimates suggesting that only one in 100 million lobsters display this unique coloration. These estimates are based on the genetic likelihood of such color variations occurring, rather than on actual counts of lobsters found in the wild. Other rare lobster colors include blue (about 1 in 2 million), red (1 in 10 million), split-colored (1 in 50 million), and albino (also about 1 in 100 million).
Blue: A Rare Color in Nature
The color blue is uncommon in the natural world, largely because it requires a specific and complex process to appear. Blue organisms reflect high-energy blue light, while absorbing only small amounts of energy, which makes true blue pigments rare. This rarity adds to the allure of blue and cotton candy-colored lobsters when they are discovered.
Similar Finds Around the World
The cotton candy lobster caught in New Hampshire is not the first colorful lobster to make headlines. In May, a fisherman off the coast of England found a blue lobster, which was also spared from becoming dinner and donated to a local aquarium. Blue lobsters have also been spotted in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and as far away as France. Despite their unusual colors, these lobsters are biologically no different from their more commonly colored counterparts.
Color Variations and the Environment
These rare color variations in lobsters occur naturally and are unrelated to environmental factors or diet, as noted by Rutka. The colorful lobsters appear to be evenly distributed across their native habitats, indicating that these variations can occur anywhere, given the right genetic conditions.
The Role of Diet in Color Intensity
While the genetic expression of color in lobsters is independent of their environment, some experts suggest that diet can influence the intensity of these colors in animals that already have the genetic predisposition for color variation. However, this factor seems to play a secondary role compared to the genetic mutations themselves.
Seacoast Science Center: A New Home for the Cotton Candy Lobster
The Seacoast Science Center, where the cotton candy lobster now resides, is home to several other lobsters with unusual colorations, including variations of orange, blue, calico, and cotton candy. These lobsters are on display for public viewing and serve as educational examples of the fascinating genetic diversity found in nature.
A Fascination with Nature’s Rarities
The discovery of such a rare and beautiful creature highlights the wonders of genetic variation in the animal kingdom. While the cotton candy lobster is a one-in-a-million find, it serves as a reminder of the incredible diversity and unpredictability of life beneath the waves.
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