Distribution and behaviour of the spider crab Macroregonia macrochira Sakai (Brachyura) around the hydrothermal vents of the northeast Pacific

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (10) ◽  
pp. 2443-2449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verena Tunnicliffe ◽  
R. Gordon Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Food Source ◽  
Hydrothermal Activity ◽  
Spider Crab ◽  
Northeast Pacific ◽  
Juan De Fuca ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Planktotrophic Larvae ◽  
Hard Substrata

Over 200 individuals of the majid crab Macroregonia macrochira Sakai, 1978 were examined on submersible and towed camera photographs from the Juan de Fuca and Explorer ridges. The crab is found at bathyal depths and shows a preference for hard substrata. Its attraction to the food source at hydrothermal vents is reflected in the high population concentrations around vent sites of the northeast Pacific. Mature males, distinguished by their large chelipeds, tend to be widely dispersed while the female–juvenile group clusters in and around vents. Stomachs of captured specimens contain remains of vent animals, confirming, along with submersible observations, that this crab is a major predator of animals at these vents. Other aspects of M. macrochira biology suggest that the sexes are separable on the basis of carapace aspect ratio, that polygamy is not apparent, and that planktotrophic larvae are released. The crab's ability to range both in and away from vents makes it an excellent indicator of the proximity of hydrothermal activity. In addition, it represents a mechanism for transferring the rich production of chemosynthetic activity to the oligotrophic deep-sea environment.

scholarly journals Hydrothermal activity lowers trophic diversity in Antarctic sedimented hydrothermal vents

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
James B. Bell ◽  
William D. K. Reid ◽  
David A. Pearce ◽  
Adrian G. Glover ◽  
Christopher J. Sweeting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Site ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Hydrothermal Activity ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Isotopic Signatures ◽  
Structure Morphology ◽  
Feeding Structure ◽  
Niche Area

Abstract. Sedimented hydrothermal vents are those in which hydrothermal fluid is discharged through sediments and are among the least studied deep-sea ecosystems. We present a combination of microbial and biochemical data to assess trophodynamics between and within hydrothermally active and off-vent areas of the Bransfield Strait (1050–1647 m depth). Microbial composition, biomass and fatty acid signatures varied widely between and within vent and non-vent sites and provided evidence of diverse metabolic activity. Several species showed diverse feeding strategies and occupied different trophic positions in vent and nonvent areas. Stable isotope values of consumers were generally not consistent with feeding structure morphology. Niche area and the diversity of microbial fatty acids reflected trends in species diversity and was lowest at the most hydrothermally active site. Faunal utilisation of chemosynthetic activity was relatively limited but was detected at both vent and non-vent sites as evidenced by carbon and sulphur isotopic signatures, suggesting that hydrothermal activity can affect trophodynamics over a much wider area than previously thought.

scholarly journals A new species and phylogenetic insights in Hesiospina (Annelida, Hesionidae) 

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4441 (1) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAULO BONIFÁCIO ◽  
YANN LELIÈVRE ◽  
EMMANUELLE OMNES
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Juan De Fuca Ridge ◽  
Cold Seeps ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
The Third ◽  
Juan De Fuca ◽  
Ne Pacific ◽  
A New Species

Hesionids are a very speciose group of polychaetes. In the deep sea, they occur in different environments such as hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, abyssal depths or whale falls. In the present study, a new species of Hesionidae, Hesiospina legendrei sp. nov. has been identified based on morphological and molecular (16S and COI genes) data from hydrothermal vents located in Juan de Fuca Ridge (NE Pacific Ocean). This new species is characterized by trapezoid prostomium; proboscis with high number of distal papillae (20–27), a pair of sac-like structures inserted ventro-laterally in proboscis; notopodia lobe reduced with multiple, slender aciculae on segments 1–5; and neuropodia developed with single, simple chaeta, and numerous, heterogomph falcigers, with 1–2 inferiormost having elongated hood. Hesiospina legendrei sp. nov. is the third described species in the genus. Sequences from the two previously described Hesiospina species are included in the molecular analyses, and although the genes used in this study are not sufficient to resolve the relationships on genus level, the result raises questions about the cosmopolitan aspect of H. vestimentifera. 

Revision of the species of Ridgeia from northeast Pacific hydrothermal vents, with a redescription of Ridgeia piscesae Jones (Pogonophora: Obturata = Vestimentifera)

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eve C. Southward ◽  
Verena Tunnicliffe ◽  
Michael Black
Keyword(s):  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Juan De Fuca Ridge ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Transform Fault ◽  
Ridgeia Piscesae ◽  
Northeast Pacific ◽  
Juan De Fuca ◽  
Gorda Ridge ◽  
Distance Data ◽  
Animal Size

Examination of vestimentiferan worms attributed to the genus Ridgeia from more than 50 vent sites in the northeast Pacific indicates that only one species is present. We amalgamate Ridgeia piscesae Jones and R. phaeophiale Jones under the name R. piscesae and include other forms previously suspected to be different species. Allozyme evidence supports the hypothesis that the populations belong to a highly plastic phenotype. The distance data indicate no substantial genetic differences among populations along Juan de Fuca Ridge and across a transform fault to the northern Gorda Ridge. Morphological data indicate that the original distinction of two species on the basis of obturacular saucer number and tube colour was based on the extremes of a continuum of characteristics that relate to animal size, levels of predation, and probably vent fluid conditions. The intriguing effect of habitat on phenotype in this abundant vent animal requires further investigation now that the taxonomy is better understood.

Size- and sex-based habitat partitioning by Lepetodrilus fucensis near hydrothermal vents on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, Northeast Pacific

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (11) ◽  
pp. 2332-2341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda E. Bates
Keyword(s):  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Cost Of Reproduction ◽  
Juan De Fuca Ridge ◽  
Habitat Partitioning ◽  
Northeast Pacific ◽  
Juan De Fuca ◽  
One Year ◽  
Size Gradient

This study examines habitat partitioning by a hydrothermal vent limpet, Lepetodrilus fucensis, along environmental gradients and among vents with differing levels of flux. To test for spatial patterns in size structure, two distances from isolated vent flows were sampled (0–25 cm and 51–75 cm). Lepetodrilus fucensis displays a size gradient: juveniles are rare in flow (relative abundance < 5%, density = 56 ± 46 individuals·dm–2) and abundant peripherally (>95%, 2616 ± 2002 individuals·dm–2). Next, sex-based habitat partitioning was examined. High flux locations are female-biased (proportion male = 0.34 ± 0.07), whereas males are overrepresented peripherally and at waning vents (0.64 ± 0.08). The spatial mismatch between the sexes within a vent is driven by differential habitat occupation at decimetre scales. One hypothesis to explain this pattern is that females suffer a higher cost of reproduction and outcompete males for habitats with high food availability. Indeed, relatively higher percentages of females in waning vents had empty gonads in comparison with males (32%–78% vs. 0%–16%, respectively). Furthermore, females transplanted to the vent periphery for one year displayed much lower survivorship than males (2% vs. 27%). This finding suggests that differential survivorship between the sexes when food is limited can yield male-biased populations at waning vents.

Tanaidacea (Crustacea; Peracarida) from chemically reduced habitatsóthe hydrothermal vent system of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, Escabana Trough and Gorda Ridge, northeast Pacific

Zootaxa ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1164 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
KIM LARSEN
Keyword(s):  
Hydrothermal Vent ◽  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Juan De Fuca Ridge ◽  
Ontogenetic Variation ◽  
Fuca Ridge ◽  
Northeast Pacific ◽  
New Information ◽  
Juan De Fuca ◽  
Gorda Ridge

The tanaidacean fauna from hydrothermal vents habitats on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, Escabana Trough, Gorda Ridge and from experimental wood deployments, is examined. The material revealed species belonging to the genera; Armaturatanais, Meromonakantha, Neotanais, Pseudotanais, Protanais, Typhlotanais, and an undescribed typhlotanaid genus. The tanaidaceanfauna was almost exclusively dominated by Protanais, which in turn was almost exclusively found on recovered wood blocks. Most species are new to science and the species Armaturatanais trispinipodus n. sp. and Protanais ligniamator n. sp. are described. New information on tanaidacean ontogenetic variation is given for Protanais ligniamator.

Parasitization of a hydrothermal vent limpet (Lepetodrilidae, Vetigastropoda) by a highly modified copepod (Chitonophilidae, Cyclopoida)

Parasitology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 135 (11) ◽  
pp. 1281-1293 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. TUNNICLIFFE ◽  
J. M. ROSE ◽  
A. E. BATES ◽  
N. E. KELLY
Keyword(s):  
Hydrothermal Vent ◽  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Mantle Cavity ◽  
Dwarf Male ◽  
Northeast Pacific ◽  
Juan De Fuca ◽  
Competitive Success ◽  
Local Host ◽  
Northeast Pacific Ocean

SUMMARYThe limpet Lepetodrilus fucensis McLean is very abundant at hydrothermal vents on the Juan de Fuca and Explorer Ridges in the northeast Pacific Ocean. This limpet is parasitized by an undescribed chitonophilid copepod throughout the limpet's range. The parasite copepodite enters the mantle cavity and attaches to the afferent branchial vein. The initial invasive stage is a vermiform endosome within the vein that develops an extensive rootlet system causing an enlargement of the afferent branchial vein. Subsequently, an ectosomal female body grows outside the vein to sizes up to 2 mm in width. Once a dwarf male attaches, egg clusters form and nauplii are released. In over 3000 limpets examined from 30 populations, prevalence averaged about 5% with localized infections in female limpets over 25%. After the establishment of limpet populations at new vents, copepod prevalence increased over the succeeding months to 3 years. Host effects were marked and included castration of both sexes and deterioration in gill condition which affected both food acquisition and the gill symbiont. There was a significantly greater parasite prevalence in larger females which likely modifies the reproductive and competitive success of local host populations.

Review Lecture - The chemosynthetic support of life and the microbial diversity at deep-sea hydrothermal vents

1985 ◽  
Vol 225 (1240) ◽  
pp. 277-297 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Inorganic Species ◽  
Chemolithotrophic Bacteria ◽  
New Type ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Aerobic And Anaerobic

Circulation of seawater through the upper few kilometres of oceanic crust at tectonic spreading zones results in a transformation of geothermal into chemical energy. Reduced inorganic species are emitted from warm (under 25 °C) and hot (under 400 °C) vents on the sea floor at depths of 1600 and 3000 m and are used by chemolithotrophic bacteria as terrestrial sources of energy for the primary production of organic carbon from carbon dioxide. Thus, the rich and unique animal populations found in the immediate vicinity of the vents represent ecosystems that are largely or totally independent of solar energy. They subsist by means of a food chain that is based on various microbial processes. In addition to aerobic and anaerobic bacterial chemosynthesis, a new type of symbiosis between yet undescribed chemolithotrophic prokaryotes and certain invertebrates appears to account for the major part of the total primary production at the deep-sea vent sites.

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