A rare lobster with a striking split-coloration—brown on one side and bright orange on the other—was caught off the coast of Cape Cod and donated to the Woods Hole Science Aquarium in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The lobster, estimated to be one in 50 million, was originally destined for Wellfleet Shellfish Company but was spared from being sold due to its unique appearance.
The lobster is currently housed in holding tanks at the Marine Biological Laboratory while the aquarium undergoes construction. Once the facility reopens, the lobster will be displayed to the public, offering visitors a rare glimpse at this natural anomaly.
Scientific Significance
The lobster's unusual coloration is attributed to genetic mutations affecting pigment production. Most American lobsters are a muddy brown to blend with their ocean environment, but rare mutations can result in vibrant colors. Blue lobsters, for instance, occur at a rate of one in two million due to overproduction of crustacyanin, while orange lobsters appear that way because they only show the carotenoid pigment. Albino lobsters, the rarest at one in 100 million, are completely white and do not turn red when cooked.
Possible Origins of the Split Color
Marine sciences professor Markus Frederich of the University of New England suggested that the two-toned lobster may have resulted from the fusion of two lobster eggs that grew as one animal. This phenomenon, though rare, explains the lobster's perfectly divided coloration.
Public and Scientific Interest
The discovery has sparked widespread fascination, with Wellfleet Shellfish Company receiving numerous inquiries about the lobster. The donation to the aquarium ensures that the lobster will be preserved for scientific study and public education, highlighting the diversity of marine life.