First Venomous Crustacean

Biologists have discovered the first known venomous crustacean, Speleonectes tulumensis, a tiny, pale, cave-dwelling member of the remipedes group native to Central America that uses its venom to paralyze and partially digest small shrimp.

Crustacean Inspires Body Armor

Analysis of the club-like arm of the mantis shrimp, a specialized claw that survives impact as it closes faster than a .22-caliber bullet, reveals a highly complex three-tiered structure that could be adapted for new designs of personal body armor and vehicle shielding.

Scorpion's Bodies UV Sensitive

Researchers have discovered a scorpion's body itself is sensitive to UV light and can function as a basic "eye," allowing the animal to navigate its environment even with its biological eyes blocked.

Crab Grows Its Own Food

The newly discovered yeti crab (Kiwa puravida) that lives in the deep sea off the shores of Costa Rica cultivates "gardens" of symbiotic bacteria in its bristled claws that it periodically harvests and eats as its primary food source.