As we continue to pollute our oceans and the nitrogen levels rise, scientists continue to find more and more interesting species of life.
The Hairy Kiwa is unlike anything ever seen before. Found at depths of 2,300 meters near thermal vents, the Kiwa’s pincers, legs, and antennae are covered in fine white celae, or hair. They’re also blind, as the benthic deep offers little or no light by which an animal could navigate. In fact, its eyes have devolved into an extra set of antennae for the creature. The Kiwa’s body is also strange, its abdomen reduced but not merged with the thorax, as in primitive crabs.
Theories abound regarding the animal’s fur coat. One camp suggests the hairs are a way to collect and harvest bacteria, abundant in the warm waters near the vents. Other groups say that the animals use them as sensory devices to compensate for the lack of light. A third group suggests that the celae might have a role in mating, as one male was found adorned with sea shells and had used mud to arrange its hair into intricate patterns. Females sometimes remove some or all of their hair entirely in order to captivate males.
Full Story/Source: The Blue Lobster
