Kiwa hirsuta discovered
22 March 2006
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The animal, collected on a vent site called Annies Anthill (S of Easter Island, 38°S, 2300 m depth) has surprising characters, which most visible are the presence of a dense seta covering the appendices regularly carrying the legs. Observed under the electron microscope, these seta reveal the presence of many filamentous bacteria. The role of these seta and these bacteria is for the moment quite unknown. In addition, the animal is blind. In the place of the eyes, one observes only one vestige of membrane. The species is also characterized by the carapace shape and ornamentation, unknown in other decapods, the insertion of the fifth pereopod not visible and situated below the sternal plastron, and the sternite between the third maxillipeds large and strongly produced anteriorly.
Picture from Ifremer / A. Fifis
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