March 8, 2006
Living in Monterey, I have found a love for the sea life that is greater than ever before, even before my scuba adventure in Belize!! Check this little hairy-alibino "ish" crustacean!! A group of divers, led by Mr.Robert Vrijenhoek from the Monterey Bay Aquarium (that's here where I live!!), has discovered this creature in the South Pacific, about 900 miles south of Easter Island. He's a little guy, about 6 inches long, and was found about 7,500 feet underwater.... ummm, yeah, that's deep!. Apparently, he is also blind. They say that every year scores of new species are found in the oceans of our planet, but this hairy dude was so different from anything else, scientists had to create a new genus AND family for him!! Isn't he soooo special!! They call him, Kiwa hirsuta , the family name is Kiwaida, from KIWA....
Why KIWA?? Well, Kiwa is the goddess of crustaceans in Polynesian mythology.... awwww, how nice. I wonder now, if the Polynesian resort in Disneyworld will put a big painting of this "goddess" up on the lobby wall...heheheh... So for you biology enthusiasts, here is yet another genus/family to memorize before your next test!!
Well honey, I think this little fellow is a cross between a monkey that got lost during a shipwreck and a crab. (hehe!!!) if that is possible which I doubt it. Anyhow, he or she is really cute.
Love it!!!
hay mami!!! estava pensado la misma cosa...hehehehe... isn't this planet amazing, so much to be learned and discovered!!