Yeti Crab: This new family of crab was discovered off the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge in the South Pacific OceanYeti Crab: This new family of crab was discovered off the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge in the South Pacific Ocean (37°46.50'S, 110°54.70'W). It was named Kiwa hirsuta kiwa, after the goddess of shellfish in Polynesian mythology, but has become known as the "yeti crab" because of its hairy appearance. The crab was collected by slurp gun from the Alvin submersible at 2228 M water depth. Reference: Macpherson E., Jones J. & M. Segonzac, 2005. A new Squat lobster family of Galatheoidea (Crustacea, Decapoda, Anomura) from the hydrothermal vents of the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge. Zoosystema 27(4): 709-723.
Description: English: A bucket full of Hoff crabs collected from the East Scotia Ridge. Date: 20 January 2010. Source: I took this photo when aboard the research ship RRS James Cook in January 2010 when we discovered this species. Author: Elpipster.
Description: English: Close up of the Hoff crab (Kiwaidae) showing distinctive carapace markings. Date: 6 November 2011. Source: In the lab with a specimen of this species. Author: Elpipster.
