Anthropology of Mermaid

Anthropology of Mermaid

The origin of life is the sea. Species that existed long before dinosaurs, such as the horseshoe crab, are still present and swimming, slithering and thriving as living fossils. Given the relatively short time life has existed on land, it is no surprise that the majority of life exists in the seas. In fact, nine-tenths of the Earth's living things live in the water.1 Aquatic systems support life on land. The very reason life exists on Earth is because it is the only planet we know of with liquid water on its surface.

Aquatic systems aid human activities. Most of the major U.S. cities are near a substantial river or body of water. Water provides a means of commerce, recreation, food, medicines, and many other resources impossible to list here. The life contained within these aquatic communities keeps the activities going. The oceans store about 1,000 times more heat than does the atmosphere.

Extending 200 feet (61 meters) deep within a sinkhole on a tiny island in the Caribbean, is an aquatic ecosystem that is so mysterious that the island's inhabitants have spun tales of a mermaid. If a mermaid were to exist here, she would have to endure water temperatures hotter than a Jacuzzi, overcome a very limited food supply, be able to see in the dark, and withstand a 50-foot (15-meter) layer of foul-tasting sulfurous water. Perhaps unappealing as a home for a mermaid, this unique environment is nevertheless a place where some creatures thrive. One such creature is the beautiful sea monster.

The beautiful sea monster (Kaloketos pilosus) is found nowhere else on Earth. Fossil records of a close relative prove that it existed while dinosaurs roamed the planet. Although it is only 1.15 inches (3 centimeters) long, the beautiful sea monster is a predatory crustacean that ...