Snapping shrimp are crustaceans named for the snapping claws they use to generate shock waves in order to stun predators, prey, and rivals. Along with their distinctive claws, snapping shrimp have transparent extensions of their carapace named orbital hoods that cover their heads and eyes. Since snapping shrimp view the world through their orbital hoods, Dr. Alexandra Kingston (post-doc in the Speiser lab) and her colleagues investigated whether the surfaces of orbital hoods have features that minimize the scattering of light. This study is the first exploration of how surface features on the orbital hood may impact vision in snapping shrimp. It also describes how these surface features may help orbital hoods protect the heads of these animals from shock waves. Learn more about it here!