Thu Sep 12 07:06:59 UTC 2024: ## Rare Lobsters Spark Scientific Curiosity in Maine
**BIDDEFORD, MAINE** – A recent surge in lobsters with unusual colorations, from vibrant orange to striking blue, has scientists scrambling to understand the phenomenon. While these colorful crustaceans often make headlines for their rarity, with some estimates suggesting a blue lobster appears only once in 100 million, researchers say the actual frequency is much harder to pin down.
Professor Markus Frederich of the University of New England, who maintains a collection of these unique lobsters, emphasizes that estimates based on anecdotal data are unreliable. He points out that lobster coloration can be affected by both genetics and diet, making it challenging to determine how rare a specific color truly is.
“There’s no definitive source on lobster coloration abnormalities,” says Andrew Goode, lead administrative scientist for the American Lobster Settlement Index at the University of Maine. “Anecdotally, they don’t taste any different either,” he adds.
Frederich, however, is determined to shed light on this mystery. He is working on non-invasive methods to extract genetic samples from lobsters, aiming to understand the molecular basis behind their unusual hues. His ongoing study of Peaches, an orange lobster, and her thousands of offspring offers valuable insight into how these color variations are passed down.
“Lobsters are iconic animals here in Maine,” says Frederich. “Especially when you see those rare ones, they’re spectacular. And then the scientist in me simply says I want to know how that works. What’s the mechanism?”
As scientists delve deeper into the genetic intricacies of lobster coloration, the mystery of these unique crustaceans continues to fascinate both researchers and the public.
First Piper 