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January 4, 2012

Hairy-chested ‘Hoff’ Crabs and Hybrid Sharks

Happy New Year! Hope all you ocean lovers out there had a relaxing holiday. And what better way to start off 2012 than with some fascinating new ocean discoveries?

First, scientists have identified the first-ever hybrid shark off the coast of Australia, a result of mating between the common blacktip shark and the Australian blacktip shark.  The discovery indicates that some shark species may respond to changing ocean conditions by interbreeding.

And more humorously, scientists in the UK have found a new yeti crab species on the Southern Ocean floor that they have dubbed “The Hoff” because of its hairy chest – a la David Hasselhoff.

The researchers found hundreds of the crabs lying in heaps around hydrothermal vents – as many as “600 individuals per square metre.” “Baywatch” and crustacean fans alike are rejoicing, and Mr. Hasselhoff himself even tweeted about the discovery.

If you could have a marine animal named after you, what would it be?