Unchanged Through Time: Mantis Shrimp

[Evo]

No, it's not about me.

Known as living fossils, they lasted for millions of years with barely a change, even as their relatives went extinct or took different paths across the tree of life.

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/9449/mantisshrimpve7.jpg

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/12/whats-old-is-ne.html?npu=1&mbid=yhp

 

[wolram]

It looks half butterfly half crab, lovely colours.

 

[Proton Soup]

mantis shrimp are satan's angels. beautiful to behold, but deadly. fortunately, they are no match for an octopus if you get one of these demons in your aquarium.

 

[franznietzsche]

Are you sure that's not at least a second or third cousing of yours? Please don't hurt me.

 

[George Jones]

Oh ... this thread isn't about Keith Richards.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Oh ... this thread isn't about Keith Richards.

LIVING fossils. Richards appears to be living, but that point is hotly disputed.

 

[franznietzsche]

LIVING fossils. Richards appears to be living, but that point is hotly disputed.

Certain factions believe that once his animatory functions cease operating that he should be dried and smoked. For science, of course.

 

[Ouabache]

I agree with Woolly's assessment (crab & butterfly). And stunningly colourful!
(interesting they are the only creature we know of, that can see in circularly polarized light).

 

[Proton Soup]

i saw a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowfin" , once, while wading in a creek near huntsville, al. i don't know how accurate the description of temperament is, but i was able to wade fairly close without spooking it. it wouldn't strike at my popping bug, so i only got to observe it swimming.

 

[LowlyPion]

12 M year old rat thought extinct - among others - in Mekong Delta.

(Please note: not the cover picture. That would be a frog in case you are confused.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grNhCfy6azw