Shrimp from Thuren hades lives in a salty cave connected to the sea in Yucatan Peninsula in the Caribbean. Its generic name "Xibalbanus" comes from Xibalba, a fear underground place controlled by death in Mayan mythology. The specific honorific name "tulumensis" behind the generic name tells us that it was discovered in Toulon. At present, there are still some disputes about its generic name in academic circles. Some scientists, including the author of Nature, advocate naming it Speleonectes. But the name Hades shrimp is obviously more handsome, so I put aside scientific rules and disputes here and call it Hades shrimp in Toulon.

In 2007, some researchers found that the front paws of Blissful Shrimp had the structure of an injection needle. So it is speculated that this animal will inject something. This guess proved to be correct. This paddle-footed animal has a mechanism to make venom, and they will inject venom into their prey through their front paws.

The researchers also analyzed their venom. It contains some digestive enzymes and a paralytic neurotoxin found in rattlesnake venom, and its structure is very similar to a toxin found in 20 10 poisonous spiders. Scientists speculate that the neurotoxin of the extreme northern hell shrimp can stop the prey from moving, and then the victim's flesh and blood will become a milkshake under the action of digestive enzymes.

Venom is very common in arthropods other than crustaceans, such as scorpions and centipedes. But why are there so few crustaceans that conquer the ocean that produce their own venom? At present, this is still a mystery. Some scientists speculate that this may be related to the wider feeding habits of crustaceans. Animals that prey on venom are relatively specific, not as diverse as crustaceans.

How much influence does the venom of the northern Hades shrimp have on human body? It's hard to say. Many cave divers died mysteriously, and scientists don't know whether the paddles were responsible for it-but maybe the Mayans did.