Two genetically unusual lobsters named Ethel and Gertrude have taken up residence at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Ethel is a split-colored lobster, with different genetic information on each side of her body causing each half of her shell to develop a different color. Gertrude, a striking blue lobster, gets her coloring from a separate rare mutation that produces higher levels of a blue-colored protein in her shell.

Ethel and Gertrude are now settled into their tank and will welcome the institute’s LabVenture students as the new school year begins.