What is the meaning associated with the genus name *Kiwa* for the Yeti Crab?
Answer
Derived from Māori mythology meaning 'goddess of the bottom of the sea'
The genus name, *Kiwa*, was specifically chosen by the discoverers and derives directly from Māori mythology. This name signifies 'goddess of the bottom of the sea.' This naming convention reflects the creature's extreme environment—a remote, sunless zone deep beneath the ocean surface where it was found. This choice highlights the profound respect researchers held for this unique organism dwelling in such an alien habitat near the deep-sea vents, contrasting sharply with common surface-dwelling crabs.
Related Questions
What is the meaning associated with the genus name *Kiwa* for the Yeti Crab?Which characteristic primarily defines the specific epithet *hirsuta* in *Kiwa hirsuta*'s scientific name?Where does *Kiwa hirsuta* sit structurally relative to hermit crabs within the Decapoda order?What specialized structures on the Yeti Crab's claws are used for cultivating food?Why was the family designation Kiwaidae established specifically for the *Kiwa* genus?What fundamental biological process supports the ecosystem near the Yeti Crab's habitat?What key factor necessitated relying heavily on molecular analyses during the classification of *Kiwa hirsuta*?What defining environmental feature characterizes the discovery location of *Kiwa hirsuta*?Which characteristics are listed for organisms classified under the Phylum Arthropoda?Which other species shares the genus *Kiwa* with the Yeti Crab, and where was it found?