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 Hydrothermal activity lowers trophic diversity in Antarctic sedimented hydrothermal vents

2016 ◽  
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 vents through sediment 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 non-vent areas and 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 the hydrothermal activity can affect trophodynamics over a much wider area than previously thought.

scholarly journals Hydrothermal activity lowers trophic diversity in Antarctic hydrothermal sediments

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 5705-5725 ◽  
Author(s):  
James B. Bell ◽  
William D. K. Reid ◽  
David A. Pearce ◽  
Adrian G. Glover ◽  
Christopher J. Sweeting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Hydrothermal Fluid ◽  
Hydrothermal Activity ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Hydrothermal Sediments ◽  
Niche Area

Abstract. Hydrothermal sediments are those in which hydrothermal fluid is discharged through sediments and are one of the least studied deep-sea ecosystems. We present a combination of microbial and biochemical data to assess trophodynamics between and within hydrothermal and background areas of the Bransfield Strait (1050–1647 m of depth). Microbial composition, biomass, and fatty acid signatures varied widely between and within hydrothermally active and background sites, providing evidence of diverse metabolic activity. Several species had different feeding strategies and trophic positions between hydrothermally active and inactive areas, and the stable isotope values of consumers were not consistent with feeding morphology. Niche area and the diversity of microbial fatty acids was lowest at the most hydrothermally active site, reflecting trends in species diversity. Faunal uptake of chemosynthetically produced organics was relatively limited but was detected at both hydrothermal and non-hydrothermal sites, potentially suggesting that hydrothermal activity can affect trophodynamics over a much wider area than previously thought.

Simple harpacticoid composition observed at deep hydrothermal vent sites on sea knoll calderas in the North-west Pacific

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Futa Nakasugi ◽  
Motohiro Shimanaga ◽  
Hidetaka Nomaki ◽  
Hiromi Kayama Watanabe ◽  
Tomo Kitahashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Hydrothermal Vent ◽  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
North West ◽  
Isotopic Signatures ◽  
Carbon Isotopic ◽  
The North ◽  
Spatial Differences

Abstract Dirivultid copepods (Siphonostomatoida), one of the most successful meiobenthic organisms found at deep-sea hydrothermal vents, have been the focus of most previous ecological studies among meiofauna in these habitats. The ecology of Harpacticoida, a major benthic copepod group in typical deep-sea floor, however, is not well understood in terms of variations in community structure and controlling factors at venting sites. The spatial heterogeneities in benthic harpacticoid composition and their association with environmental parameters were investigated at hydrothermal vent chimney structures in the calderas of three neighbouring sea knolls (Bayonnaise Knoll, Myojin Knoll and Myojin-sho Caldera) in the western North Pacific. While a previous study had reported the distribution of dirivultids was strongly associated with spatial differences in stable carbon isotopic signatures (δ13C) of organic matter in the detritus on active chimneys in the field, multivariate analyses detected no significant corelation between the parameter and harpacticoid composition in this study. Instead, high associations of the harpacticoid composition with differences in water depth and total organic carbon (TOC) concentration were detected. Ectinosomatidae dominated at vent sites with lower TOC values in the shallowest Bayonnaise Knoll, while they were less prevalent at deeper vent fields in the other knolls, where Miraciidae was the most abundant family. This study indicated the availability of vent chemoautotrophic carbon is not a primary factor controlling the composition of harpacticoids even in the habitats on the hydrothermal vents, but instead by the food amount, regardless of its resources (including marine snow from the sea surface), in the study area.

scholarly journals Cutting through the smoke: the diversity of microorganisms in deep-sea hydrothermal plumes

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 160829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anni Djurhuus ◽  
Svein-Ole Mikalsen ◽  
Helge-Ansgar Giebel ◽  
Alex D. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Hydrothermal Vent ◽  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Microbial Community Composition ◽  
Illumina Miseq ◽  
Black Smoker ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Diffuse Flow ◽  
Environmental Selection

There are still notable gaps regarding the detailed distribution of microorganisms between and within insular habitats such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents. This study investigates the community composition of black smoker vent microorganisms in the Southern Hemisphere, and changes thereof along a spatial and chemical gradient ranging from the vent plume to surrounding waters. We sampled two hydrothermal vent fields, one at the South West Indian Ridge (SWIR), the other at the East Scotia Ridge (ESR). Samples were collected across vent fields at varying vertical distances from the origin of the plumes. The microbial data were sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq platform for the 16SrRNA gene. A substantial amount of vent-specific putative chemosynthetic microorganisms were found, particularly in samples from focused hydrothermal venting. Common vent-specific organisms from both vent fields were the genera Arcobacter , Caminibacter and Sulfurimonas from the Epsilonproteobacteria and the SUP05 group from the Gammaproteobacteria. There were no major differences in microbial composition between SWIR and ESR for focused plume samples. However, within the ESR the diffuse flow and focused samples differed significantly in microbial community composition and relative abundance. For Epsilonproteobacteria, we found evidence of niche-specificity to hydrothermal vent environments. This taxon decreased in abundance by three orders of magnitude from the vent orifice to background water. Epsilonproteobacteria distribution followed a distance–decay relationship as vent-effluents mixed with the surrounding seawater. This study demonstrates strong habitat affinity of vent microorganisms on a metre scale with distinct environmental selection.

scholarly journals Novel Forms of Structural Integration between Microbes and a Hydrothermal Vent Gastropod from the Indian Ocean

2004 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 3082-3090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shana K. Goffredi ◽  
Anders Warén ◽  
Victoria J. Orphan ◽  
Cindy L. Van Dover ◽  
Robert C. Vrijenhoek
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Iron Sulfides ◽  
Dense Population ◽  
Isotopic Signatures ◽  
Structural Integration ◽  
Esophageal Gland ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Sulfur Oxidizing

ABSTRACT Here we describe novel forms of structural integration between endo- and episymbiotic microbes and an unusual new species of snail from hydrothermal vents in the Indian Ocean. The snail houses a dense population of γ-proteobacteria within the cells of its greatly enlarged esophageal gland. This tissue setting differs from that of all other vent mollusks, which harbor sulfur-oxidizing endosymbionts in their gills. The significantly reduced digestive tract, the isotopic signatures of the snail tissues, and the presence of internal bacteria suggest a dependence on chemoautotrophy for nutrition. Most notably, this snail is unique in having a dense coat of mineralized scales covering the sides of its foot, a feature seen in no other living metazoan. The scales are coated with iron sulfides (pyrite and greigite) and heavily colonized by ε- and δ-proteobacteria, likely participating in mineralization of the sclerites. This novel metazoan-microbial collaboration illustrates the great potential of organismal adaptation in chemically and physically challenging deep-sea environments.

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.

From wood to vent: first cocculinid limpet associated with hydrothermal activity discovered in the Weddell Sea

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 354-366
Author(s):  
Chong Chen ◽  
Katrin Linse
Keyword(s):  
Hydrothermal Vents ◽  
Deep Ocean ◽  
First Record ◽  
Hydrothermal Activity ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Weddell Sea ◽  
Anatomical Reconstruction ◽  
Cold Seeps ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectory ◽  
Genetic Sequencing

AbstractLush ‘oases’ of life seen in chemosynthetic ecosystems such as hot vents and cold seeps represent rare, localized exceptions to the generally oligotrophic deep ocean floor. Organic falls, best known from sunken wood and whale carcasses, are additional sources of such oases. Kemp Caldera (59°42'S, 28°20'W) in the Weddell Sea exhibits active hydrothermal vents and a natural whale fall in close proximity, where an undescribed cocculinid limpet was found living in both types of chemosynthetic habitats. This represents the first member of the gastropod order Cocculinida discovered from hot vents, and also the first record from the Southern Ocean. Here, we applied an integrative taxonomy framework incorporating traditional dissection, electron microscopy, genetic sequencing and 3D anatomical reconstruction through synchrotron computed tomography in order to characterize this species. Together, our data revealed an unusual member of the genus Cocculina with a highly modified radula for feeding on bacterial film, described herein as Cocculina enigmadonta n. sp. Its phylogenetically derived position within the largely wood-inhabiting Cocculina indicates that it probably evolved from an ancestor adapted to living on sunken wood, providing a compelling case of the ‘stepping stone’ evolutionary trajectory from organic falls to seeps and vents.

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