Where does the female Kiwa hirsuta attach her eggs until they hatch into larvae?

a specialized brooding structure on their abdomen

Reproduction in the Yeti Crab involves a distinct and specialized form of parental care, which remains an area requiring further study. Female *Kiwa hirsuta* do not simply broadcast their eggs into the water; rather, they secure them for development. The eggs are attached directly to a specialized brooding structure located on the underside of the female’s abdomen. These eggs remain physically linked to the mother, attached specifically to the setae, until they successfully hatch into their larval stages. This direct, protected brooding strategy is considered a notable adaptation among deep-sea inhabitants, ensuring higher survival rates for the initial developmental phase.