text: A group of assorted British scientists on the RRS James Cook used a remotely operated vehicle to explore parts of the East Scotia Ridge in the Southern Ocean between Antarctica and South America. In January 2010, they discovered a number of new species living around its deep-sea hydrothermal vents. One of these was a new species of ’yeti’ crab, characterised by a dense ventral coating of long setae (hairs or bristles) covered in filamentous bacteria. These crabs were crowded together – up to 600 per square metre – around vent chimneys. One of them explains:
  On the East Scotia Ridge, where new sea-floor is born,
  There are mineral towers of chimney-like form
  Whose cosy environment shelter affords,
  And that’s where my mates and I gather in hordes.
  Now here is a fact that you’d never have guessed:
  Volcanic vents can put hairs on your chest –
  The hairs trap bacteria which I like to eat:
  I scrape ’em all off and they go down a treat!
  I’m a yeti crab really, but lacking a name,
  Which the crew of the James Cook ship felt was a shame.
  Can you guess what they called me? Go on, have a stab!
  That’s right, I’m the hairy-chested Hasselhoff crab!