Brief
Rare ‘ghost’ lobster named Casper joins research at University of New England
Scientists estimate the chance of finding a lobster like Casper at one‑in‑100‑million.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A white lobster dubbed Casper, donated by the Maine State Aquarium, has been added to a genetic research collection at the University of New England (UNE). Casper’s shell is strikingly white with pale blue dots, a result of missing pigment‑producing proteins that normally give lobsters their brown colour. UNE researchers say the specimen will help decode the genetics of lobster colouration, a project that began in 2024 after several rare‑coloured lobsters arrived at the university.
Professor Markus Frederich of UNE’s marine sciences department said that rare lobsters such as Casper “capture people’s attention because they are so rare and beautiful” and provide a chance to ask fundamental biological questions. The university’s programme uses non‑invasive methods to collect and analyse genetic material without harming the lobsters. Casper joins a collection that already includes orange, blue, yellow, purple, calico and split‑coloured specimens.
Key facts
- Casper is a white lobster with pale blue dots, lacking pigment‑producing proteins (dailymail.co.uk)
- UNE estimates the chance of finding a lobster like Casper at one‑in‑100‑million (dailymail.co.uk)
- Casper will be studied as part of UNE’s genetics project launched in 2024 (dailymail.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] dailymail.co.uk — originally reported as “Meet Casper, the one-in-100 million 'ghost' lobster”
