Kiwa

Kiwa is a genus of deep-sea crustaceans in the family Kiwaidae, commonly known as yeti crabs. The genus includes several species discovered at hydrothermal vent communities in the Pacific Ocean, such as Kiwa hirsuta, Kiwa tyleri, and Kiwa purpurea. Kiwa hirsuta, the type species, is notable for its large, rounded carapace and long walking legs covered with hairlike setae, giving the animal a furry appearance. The hairy chelipeds are a distinctive trait and are thought to host epibiotic bacteria that may supplement the crab’s diet.

These crabs live in the high-pressure, low-light environment around hydrothermal vents. They rely on chemosynthetic bacterial communities for nutrition, often feeding indirectly on microbes that grow on mineral surfaces near vent chimneys or on detritus. Reproduction involves free-swimming larval stages that disperse to colonize new vent habitats. They are found at great depths in the Pacific, including vent fields along the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge and the East Pacific Rise.

Disambiguation: Kiwa also refers to a multinational company focused on testing, inspection, and certification services, sometimes known simply as Kiwa Group.