tubeworm
Vent-dwelling marine creature
Tubeworms are marine invertebrates that live inside protective tubes they secrete, anchored to rocks, coral, or the ocean floor.
The most dramatic species cluster around hydrothermal vents in the deep sea, where they can grow several feet long and survive without sunlight by hosting bacteria that convert chemicals into energy.
Smaller varieties encrust ship hulls and pier pilings, sometimes becoming a nuisance.
The dive revealed giant tubeworms swaying near the volcanic vent.
Submarine volcanic water jets
- chemosynthesisEnergy from chemical reactions
- abyssalExtremely deep, unmeasurable
- submersibleUnderwater exploration vehicle
- bioluminescenceOrganism-generated light emission
sulfide · benthic · mid-ocean ridge · anoxic · pressure · darkness · seafloor · subduction zone
Two-way biological benefit
- hydrogen sulfideToxic gas, foul-smelling
- hemoglobinErythrocyte's oxygen-binding protein
- symbiotic relationshipInterdependent species partnership
- bloodstreamFlow through vessels
Ornamental feather or rising column
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
- sessileAttached at base
- segmentedDivided into sections
- tentaclesFlexible grasping appendages
branchial · trunk · larvae · setae · collar · secretion · growth rings · attachment
Very old indeed
- slow-growingDeveloping at leisurely pace
- long-livedHaving extended lifespan
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
polychaete
Segmented marine annelid
- annelidSegmented worm phylum member
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
hydrothermal vents
Submarine volcanic water jets
- chemosynthesisEnergy from chemical reactions
- abyssalExtremely deep, unmeasurable
- submersibleUnderwater exploration vehicle
bioluminescence · sulfide · benthic · mid-ocean ridge · anoxic · pressure · darkness · seafloor · subduction zone · mineral deposits
mutualism
Two-way biological benefit
- hydrogen sulfideToxic gas, foul-smelling
- hemoglobinErythrocyte's oxygen-binding protein
- symbiotic relationshipInterdependent species partnership
plume
Ornamental feather or rising column
tentacles · branchial · trunk · larvae · setae · collar · secretion · growth rings · attachment · anchoring
ancient
Very old indeed
- slow-growingDeveloping at leisurely pace
- long-livedHaving extended lifespan
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
- extreme habitat animalspolar bear, penguin, camel, arctic fox, snow leopard
- sea creaturescrab, lobster, shrimp, jellyfish, octopus
- wormsearthworms, nightcrawler, roundworms, flatworms, tapeworms
- deep seaabyss, seabed, ocean floor, ocean depths, seafloor
- tide poolstide pool, rock pool, sea anemone, hermit crab, sea star
- tube worms
tubewormjellyfish
Drifting marine stinger
polychaete · squid · dolphin · sea turtle · nereid