Giant crabs make Antarctic leap

Gerald · 09-07-11, 06:50 AM

The crabs are large and dominant organisms, able to crush other animals

King crabs have been found on the edge of Antarctica, probably as a result of warming in the region, scientists say.

Writing in the journal Proceedings B, scientists report a large, reproductive population of crabs in the Palmer Deep, a basin cut in the continental shelf.

They suggest the crabs were washed in during an upsurge of warmer water.

The crabs are voracious crushers of sea floor animals and will probably change the ecosystem profoundly if and when they spread further, researchers warn.

Related species have been found around islands off the Antarctic Peninsula and on the outer edge of the continental shelf.

But here the crabs (Neolithodes yaldwyni) are living and reproducing in abundance right on the edge of the continent itself.

Search for life

The researchers sent the Genesis, a submersible remotely operated vehicle (ROV) from the University of Ghent in Belgium, into the Palmer Deep in March last year.

The idea was to look at what life was down there, rather than specifically to look for crabs; and the team was somewhat surprised by how many they found.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14803840

Note: 6 September 2011 Last updated at 23:26 GMT

nikimcbee · 09-07-11, 09:50 AM

more crab cakes for me

.

Jimbuna · 09-07-11, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

more crab cakes for me

.

I was going to ask if you'd been swimming in the area recently?

09-07-11, 05:28 PM

I don't know about the facts according to the thread title?
But teeny tiny crabs have made me leap a few time in days gone by!!

Gerald · 09-07-11, 05:33 PM

But hardly as large as this, only takes a couple like that as a starter,dessert may consist of something completely different...

Anthony W. · 09-07-11, 05:34 PM

Didn't the department of Wildlife ban derby crab fishing to save the ecosystem?

I say they reopen it and give me reason to watch Deadliest Catch again...

Jimbuna · 09-07-11, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by privateer

I don't know about the facts according to the thread title?
But teeny tiny crabs have made me leap a few time in days gone by!!

LOL

Skybird · 09-07-11, 06:50 PM

How big must a pizza be in order... hm, forget it...

Jimbuna · 09-07-11, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony W.

Didn't the department of Wildlife ban derby crab fishing to save the ecosystem?

I say they reopen it and give me reason to watch Deadliest Catch again...

A very good series

Gerald · 09-07-11, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

How big must a pizza be in order... hm, forget it...

We will not forget such things lightly,

geetrue · 09-08-11, 11:57 PM

We don't have to worry do we?

They just eat dead things, right?

Castout · 09-09-11, 01:40 AM

They have become a pestilence. They create sea floor desolation whenever they spread unchecked.

Fish them, never mind fishing quota to control their prices.

Fish stock is depleting at alarming rate. More crabs would be good for the environment and for our taste buds for a change.

Spicy sauce crabs, spicy sour sauce crabs, curry sauce crabs, steamed crabs....Ummmm, crabs for lunch, crabs for dinner.

Jimbuna · 09-09-11, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Castout

They have become a pestilence. They create sea floor desolation whenever they spread unchecked.

Fish them, never mind fishing quota to control their prices.

Fish stock is depleting at alarming rate. More crabs would be good for the environment and for our taste buds for a change.

Spicy sauce crabs, spicy sour sauce crabs, curry sauce crabs, steamed crabs....Ummmm, crabs for lunch, crabs for dinner.

Some crabs are more destructive and irritable than others

Anthony W. · 09-09-11, 05:41 AM

Their problem is my dinner.

Simple solution.

Woohoo!!!

But - to be honest - I have a friend who is a fisherman up in the Bering Sea, in fact, he was actually on the Deadliest Catch pilot episode. Ever since the derby season ended, he just hasn't been doing too well. They had to stop crab fishing and now all they fish is cod. It doesn't help that they were robbed last year and all their collector rifles were stolen, as well as expensive computer equipment and the damages caused.

Re opening the derby - it'll feed my insatiable urge for steamed crab legs, and help out my good friend, and all the other fishermen that were screwed over by the DNR/DFG.

Gargamel · 09-09-11, 08:46 AM

Had some last night for dinner..... yummy.....

09-07-11, 06:50 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Giant crabs make Antarctic leap The crabs are large and dominant organisms, able to crush other animals King crabs have been found on the edge of Antarctica, probably as a result of warming in the region, scientists say. Writing in the journal Proceedings B, scientists report a large, reproductive population of crabs in the Palmer Deep, a basin cut in the continental shelf. They suggest the crabs were washed in during an upsurge of warmer water. The crabs are voracious crushers of sea floor animals and will probably change the ecosystem profoundly if and when they spread further, researchers warn. Related species have been found around islands off the Antarctic Peninsula and on the outer edge of the continental shelf. But here the crabs (Neolithodes yaldwyni) are living and reproducing in abundance right on the edge of the continent itself. Search for life The researchers sent the Genesis, a submersible remotely operated vehicle (ROV) from the University of Ghent in Belgium, into the Palmer Deep in March last year. The idea was to look at what life was down there, rather than specifically to look for crabs; and the team was somewhat surprised by how many they found. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14803840 Note: 6 September 2011 Last updated at 23:26 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

09-07-11, 09:50 AM	#2
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	more crab cakes for me. __________________

09-07-11, 05:33 PM	#5
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	But hardly as large as this, only takes a couple like that as a starter,dessert may consist of something completely different... __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

09-07-11, 05:34 PM	#6
Anthony W. Grey Wolf Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 850 Downloads: 130 Uploads: 0	Didn't the department of Wildlife ban derby crab fishing to save the ecosystem? I say they reopen it and give me reason to watch Deadliest Catch again... __________________ Sunken Mustangs Proud Ford Mustang owner "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" - Admiral David Farragut Run silent - run deep - keep the baffles clear - targets front and center. Private pilot and history buff

09-07-11, 06:50 PM	#8
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,629 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	How big must a pizza be in order... hm, forget it... __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

09-07-11, 05:28 PM	#4
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I don't know about the facts according to the thread title? But teeny tiny crabs have made me leap a few time in days gone by!!

09-08-11, 11:57 PM	#11
geetrue Cold War Boomer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Walla Walla Posts: 2,837 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	We don't have to worry do we? They just eat dead things, right? __________________

09-09-11, 01:40 AM	#12
Castout Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 4,794 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 6	They have become a pestilence. They create sea floor desolation whenever they spread unchecked. Fish them, never mind fishing quota to control their prices. Fish stock is depleting at alarming rate. More crabs would be good for the environment and for our taste buds for a change. Spicy sauce crabs, spicy sour sauce crabs, curry sauce crabs, steamed crabs....Ummmm, crabs for lunch, crabs for dinner. __________________ My blog: http://exposingsingapore.wordpress.com/

09-09-11, 05:41 AM	#14
Anthony W. Grey Wolf Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 850 Downloads: 130 Uploads: 0	Their problem is my dinner. Simple solution. Woohoo!!! But - to be honest - I have a friend who is a fisherman up in the Bering Sea, in fact, he was actually on the Deadliest Catch pilot episode. Ever since the derby season ended, he just hasn't been doing too well. They had to stop crab fishing and now all they fish is cod. It doesn't help that they were robbed last year and all their collector rifles were stolen, as well as expensive computer equipment and the damages caused. Re opening the derby - it'll feed my insatiable urge for steamed crab legs, and help out my good friend, and all the other fishermen that were screwed over by the DNR/DFG. __________________ Sunken Mustangs Proud Ford Mustang owner "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" - Admiral David Farragut Run silent - run deep - keep the baffles clear - targets front and center. Private pilot and history buff

09-09-11, 08:46 AM	#15
Gargamel Lucky Sailor Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rome Posts: 4,273 Downloads: 81 Uploads: 0	Had some last night for dinner..... yummy..... __________________ Luck is a residue of Design.

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