A new study has found that lobsters have growth rings that can be used to determine their age, much like trees. The study, published in the journal *Scientific Reports*, found that the rings are formed by alternating layers of light and dark tissue in the lobster's exoskeleton. The light layers are formed during the summer when the lobster is actively growing, while the dark layers are formed during the winter when growth slows down.

The researchers used X-rays to image the growth rings in lobster shells and were able to accurately determine the age of the lobsters. This information could be used to help manage lobster fisheries by ensuring that only adult lobsters are caught.

Lobsters are long-lived animals, and some species can live for over 100 years. The oldest lobster ever recorded was a 140-year-old American lobster caught off the coast of Nova Scotia in 2012.

The study's findings could also help scientists learn more about the growth patterns of lobsters and how they are affected by environmental factors. This information could be used to develop conservation strategies for lobsters and other marine species.

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of New Brunswick in Canada. The lead author of the study, Dr. Jeff Dutil, said that the findings could have important implications for lobster fisheries.

"Knowing the age of lobsters is essential for managing the fishery," Dutil said. "By using growth rings, we can now accurately determine the age of lobsters and ensure that only adult lobsters are caught."

Dutil said that the study's findings could also help scientists learn more about the biology of lobsters.

"Lobsters are fascinating creatures, and we are still learning about their biology," Dutil said. "The study of growth rings could help us learn more about how lobsters grow and how they are affected by their environment."