A ghostly white lobster so rare that only one in every 100 million lobsters shares its coloring is now helping University of New England researchers crack the genetic code behind the species' most unusual shell colors. The lobster, named Casper, arrived at UNE's Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center in Biddeford, Maine, after the Maine […] The post One-in-100-million white lobster named Casper joins Maine research effort on rare shell colors appeared first on American Almanac .
A ghostly white lobster so rare that only one in every 100 million lobsters shares its coloring is now helping University of New England researchers crack the genetic code behind the species' most unusual shell colors. The lobster, named Casper, arrived at UNE's Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center in Biddeford, Maine, after the Maine State Aquarium in Boothbay donated the animal to a research project launched in 2024. UNE calls white lobsters "the rarest among the unusual color variations found in the species," and Casper is now the crown specimen in a growing collection of oddly colored American lobsters that includes orange, blue, purple, yellow, calico, and split-colored animals. Markus Frederich, a marine sciences professor who…Open
Why is understanding the genetics of rare lobster coloration scientifically significant?
Understanding these mechanisms can explain how shell color affects a lobster's ability to camouflage from predators and may provide insights into pigment biology across various crustacean species.
Q&A ID 1710cc28-cef5-4add-a2cb-ac3fbb5c9002
How do the researchers at the University of New England ensure that the lobsters are not harmed during the genetic research?
The project uses non-invasive techniques to collect and analyze genetic material, ensuring that no harm comes to the lobsters.
Q&A ID db12c7aa-6433-4f97-88f6-fa71d90e62f0
What happened to the multicolored offspring of the lobster Peaches on May 12, 2025?
On May 12, 2025, Markus Frederich released Peaches' multicolored baby lobsters at Ram Island to return them to the wild.
Q&A ID 23ed449b-c53e-462c-a3d9-f33b62d83208
How does the rarity of Casper compare to the orange lobster named Peaches?
Casper is much rarer with a 1 in 100 million chance of occurrence, whereas Peaches, an orange lobster, has odds of approximately one in 30 million.
Q&A ID 76864f1a-5f59-4c1d-a29a-26a7a7d92af6
What are some of the other rare lobster colors included in the UNE collection alongside Casper?
The collection includes orange, blue, purple, yellow, calico, and split-colored animals. Specific specimens mentioned include Peaches (orange), Currant (blue-and-orange), and Fig (purple).
Q&A ID 98e54b12-61eb-4f1e-b04f-09e2a9771a26
Who is leading the research project at UNE's Invertebrate Physiology Lab and what is the primary focus of the genetic analysis?
Markus Frederich, a marine sciences professor who directs the lab, leads the project. The team is analyzing more than 15,000 genes to find differences in gene expression that produce unusual shell colors.
Q&A ID adea09c4-cfa8-4990-bf70-5dad618c82a8
Where is Casper currently located for research purposes, and who donated the lobster to the project?
Casper is located at the University of New England's (UNE) Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center in Biddeford, Maine, after being donated by the Maine State Aquarium in Boothbay.
Q&A ID 745d81f9-9375-4b55-8d64-655cb451d259
What is the name of the white lobster that is helping University of New England researchers study rare shell colors, and how rare is its coloring?
The lobster is named Casper, and its ghostly white coloring is so rare that only one in every 100 million lobsters shares it.
Q&A ID c30ae33e-8135-4b20-9810-95e437ca874b