Strange New Bacteria-Guzzling Yeti Crab Found in Antarctica

Researchers in Britain have described a unique species of Yeti Crab that thrives in hydrothermal vents found in freezing environs of Antarctica.

Researchers from University of Southampton detail the Kiwa Tyleri, called the Yeti crab, given its white bristles on the crab's crustacean's body. The crab lives in the hydrothermal vents of East Scotia Ridge and spends all its life in the vents. Only females move into the ice-cold water to lay eggs as warm interior of vents, around 25 degree Celsius, is not viable for eggs.

"The Antarctic Yeti Crab is trapped in its warm-water hydrothermal vent site by the cold polar waters of the surrounding deep-sea. The species has adapted to this very limited sized habitat - of a few cubic metres in volume - by living in highly-packed densities and by relying on bacteria they grow on their fur-like setae for nutrition," said Sven Thatje the study's lead author.

The Yeti Crab is found in big numbers, around 700 specimens per square meter, thriving on the bacteria that populate the interior of the vents. The species is unique as polar seas are not lobster-friendly environments. Crabs are found in all other oceans of across the globe.

The study has been published in the journal PLOS ONE.