What is the primary physical attribute that immediately differentiated the Yeti crab from other deep-sea crustaceans?
Answer
Its distinctive, hairy appendages
Upon its initial sighting, researchers immediately noted the creature's unique and surreal appearance, leading to its evocative common name. The feature that set it apart from other deep-sea crustaceans was specifically the presence of hairy appendages covering its claws and arms. These structures are known technically as setae, and they serve the critical function of housing the symbiotic bacteria that provide the crab with its primary food source in the aphotic zone.
Related Questions
When was the Yeti crab, Kiwa hirsuta, initially described and named?What geological feature dictates the absolute habitat location for Kiwa hirsuta?How does the Yeti crab utilize the specialized, hair-like setae covering its claws and arms?The initial discovery of Kiwa hirsuta was made near which major oceanic landmark?What approximate depth was reported for the discovery of Kiwa hirsuta?Which species is confirmed to be a relative dwelling in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica?What biological energy production process supports the Yeti crab ecosystem instead of photosynthesis?What is the primary physical attribute that immediately differentiated the Yeti crab from other deep-sea crustaceans?What is the specific depth range documented for the Antarctic relative, Kiwa tyleri?In which major ocean basin is the type species, Kiwa hirsuta, associated based on current knowledge?