Leiogalathea Samudragiri

Leiogalathea Samudragiri Latest News

Researchers recently discovered a new species of squat lobster named Leiogalathea samudragiri off Lakshadweep’s coast.

About Leiogalathea Samudragiri

• It is a new species of squat lobster.
• It was found living 360 metres below the surface near Minicoy, part of the Lakshadweep archipelago.
• The discovery was made during a research cruise as part of India’s ambitious Deep Ocean Mission (Samudrayaan program).
• L. samudragiri possesses smooth, uninterrupted ridges running across the top of its shell, whereas its closest relatives have ridges that are broken or interrupted. 
• It also features exactly six transverse ridges on the back half of its body.
• It lacks a specific spine on its feelers (antennules) that is commonly found in similar species. 
• It is bright orange in colour.

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What are Squat Lobsters?

• They are marine crustaceans that resemble small lobsters but are not true lobsters. 
• They are more closely related to hermit crabs and porcelain crabs.
• There are well over 900 species of squat lobsters, and they can be found in nearly every marine environment across most latitudes around the world.
• They have small, flat bodies, ranging from 0.7 to 3.5 inches (1.778 to 88.9 mm) in length. 
• These decapods (ten-footed) have a front pair of legs that are much longer than their bodies that end in a pair of large claws.   
• The lobsters earned their name by tucking their tails under their thorax, giving their bodies a shorter, more “squat” appearance.  
• As with many other crustaceans, squat lobsters can use their tail as a paddle to escape backwards very quickly.

Source: RM