The Hoffa crab (Kiwa tyleri) is named after actor David Hasselhoff.
Name: Hoffa's Crab (Kiwa tyleri)
Habitat: Eastern Scotia Ridge, Southern Ocean.
Food: Bacteria
Why It's Fascinating: It turns out that Bigfoot really does exist—at least underwater. This family of deep-sea squat lobsters, named after the mythical Bigfoot, was first identified in 2005. The first specimen was nicknamed the “Crab Bigfoot” due to its snow-white coloring and hairy texture. The name was later used for all members of the family as new species were identified and described. Later, one of the hairy-chested species (Kiwa tyleri) was named “Hoff,” after “Baywatch” star David Hasselhoff.
But these nicknames only tell the bare bones of this crustacean. K. tyleri manages to survive in some of the harshest environments on the planet. In 2010, a remotely operated vehicle dove into hydrothermal vents on the East Scotia Ridge in the Southern Ocean and found these yeti crabs clustering in large numbers, up to 700 individuals per square meter.
Life at these volcanic hydrothermal vents is fickle. Temperatures of the fluid ejected from the vents can reach 721.04 degrees Fahrenheit (382.8 degrees Celsius), while nearby water in Antarctica freezes. The crabs are forced to exist in a limited area between these two extremes.
The researchers noticed that females with developed embryos ventured out of the vents. The fiery waters of hydrothermal vents can have a negative effect on the development of embryos, so the females leave and release their larvae into colder waters. This journey to a cooler environment has a significant impact on the females, who reproduce only once in their lives.
What do you find in a hydrothermal vent? Nothing special. However, the Hoffa crab has managed to adapt and catch larvae using hairs known as setae. These setae, which cover its entire abdomen, contain bacteria that the crab collects and eats.
Despite the name “yeti crabs,” these creatures are not actually true crabs. They are squat lobsters, and like many other decapods, such as king crabs and hermit crabs, they look like crabs. This unusual process, which causes many different organisms to end up looking like crabs, is called cancerization and is an example of convergent evolution.
Megan ShersbyNavigate Social LinksFreelance Science Writer
Megan Shersby is a naturalist, wildlife writer and content creator. After gaining a BSc (Hons) in Animal Science from Aberystwyth University, she worked in nature and conservation communications for a variety of organisations and charities, including BBC Wildlife magazine, the National Trust, two Wildlife Trusts and the Field Studies Council. She is a contributor to the Wildlife Trusts’ Seasons anthologies, the BTO’s Into The Red, has written for BBC Countryfile magazine and website and produced podcast episodes for the award-winning The Plodcast.
Sourse: www.livescience.com
