How are the antennae modified in spiny or rock lobsters for defense?

Answer

Flattened, spiny structures

Spiny or rock lobsters exhibit a marked difference in their head appendages compared to clawed lobsters. Instead of the long, flexible antennae used primarily for navigation and sensory input in the dark, the antennae of spiny lobsters are highly specialized. They are modified into structures that are flattened and covered in spines, serving a direct defensive purpose against potential threats in their rocky habitats. This structural adaptation reflects a different evolutionary path for defense mechanisms between the two major lobster types.

How are the antennae modified in spiny or rock lobsters for defense?

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