Scientists have recently challenged the long-held belief that only viruses and microbes could survive in the extreme depths of the ocean. A groundbreaking expedition led by researchers from the Schmidt Ocean Institute at the East Pacific Rise, near the Galapagos Islands, has unveiled the presence of giant, ghostly-white tube worms thriving in these harsh environments.
This marks the first time that animals have been discovered in fluid-filled pockets beneath the ocean floor at deep-sea hydrothermal vents, previously thought to host only microbial and viral life. The tube worms, specifically species like Oasisia alvinae and Riftia pachyptila, can reach impressive lengths of up to 20 and 50 centimeters, respectively.
The research highlights the potential for rapid colonization by these animals, suggesting that larvae may be transported across the ocean floor via ocean currents before settling in the vents. Interestingly, the team found adult tube worms and even evidence of reproduction directly beneath the seabed, indicating a complex ecosystem thriving in these extreme conditions.
This discovery not only expands our understanding of deep-sea life but also raises questions about the mechanisms of larval distribution in such isolated habitats.