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Evolutionary overkill: shrimp with superpowers

posted by Zed on March 23 2002 17:28

Sure, you heard that scientists may have induced fusion through sonoluminescence. But did you know shrimp were there first?

While earlier experiments had shown that so-called snapping shrimp generate imploding air bubbles that make loud popping sounds (SN: 9/23/ 00, p. 199), a new study reveals that those collapsing bubbles emit flashes of light and may flare as hot as the sun's surface.

[...] The animals use snaps to fight rivals, find mates, and even stun prey.

And there's speculation that knuckle-crackers may be in this luminary company.

Cavitation bubbles in synovial fluid may even explain the sound of "cracking" knuckles, he ventures. And if that's the case, he says, "I'd be willing to bet pitchers of beer that cracking knuckles will also generate small amounts of luminescence."

Nature is cool.

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