What is a pistol?

pistol shrimp are unique members of the shrimp family. They are equipped with a special only excessive claw that can be used as a sound weapon and creating an explosion of sound that is actually able to kill small sea animals. Although the pistol shrimp is small, they are responsible for the surprising amount of noise in the ocean, and the shrimp pistol is even known to disrupt the navigation equipment on the submarines. Some biologists prefer the term alpheid shrimp, in reference to the family. Like other shrimps, pistol shrimp is crustacean, with a range of legs and claws used for navigation and handling with prey. The claws of the pistol shrimp are pronounced because they are symmetrical: one arm is much larger than the other. Interestingly, if the eliminating arm shrimp is deactivated or amputated, the other claw will grow size to replace it. Creatures tend to live in burrows and often occur in coral reefs, underwater grass mats and oyster apartments. In some cases they mayShrimp pistols to create symbiotic relationships with other creatures such as fungi or fish fish. Some even live in fresh water and demonstrate a huge biodiversity that can be found in a single family.

Originally biologists thought the sound of the pistol shrimp was caused by clicking on the claws of the cracks. However, the sound is actually caused by cavitation bubble. When the pistol shrimp surprises the claw, it brings a high -speed beam of water that creates turbulence, resulting in the formation of low -pressure bubbles. When the high pressure of the ocean appears bubbles, they emit a sharp "crack" as well as pistols.

It also seems that the bubbles emit a short flash of light as they collapse. This is because the bubbles compress so fast that the air inside cannot escape. As a result, it becomes overheated and sometimes closer to the surface temperature of the sun. Light flash is referred to as "sonoluminesia" and seems to be for PiSTolové shrimp unique because biologists did not observe a similar phenomenon in conjunction with other animals.

Although pistol shrimp is not a threat to people, they pack a serious blow for such a small creature!