Steven C. Chamberlain, Ryan C. Lakin, Darrison N. Wharton, David J. Nuckley, Richard O.
Kuenzler, Jeffrey T. Kwasniewski, Patrick J. O'Neill, Robert N. Jinks, and Erik D. Herzog.
Institute for Sensory Research, and Department of Bioengineering and Neuroscience, Syracuse
University.
"Black smokers" at hydrothermal vents on mid-oceanic ridges constitute a newly discovered,
low-light environment. No light penetrates from the surface, but light emanates from
the tops of the smoker chimneys probably as a result of black body radiation from the
350 degree C vent water. During cruise 129 of R/V Atlantis II, we collected six species of
Caridean shrimp unique to the four known hydrothermal vent fields on the Mid-Atlantic
Ridge. These shrimp live on the sides and at the bases of the chimneys where they feed
on sulfide oxidizing bacteria or on other shrimp. They were retrieved with the research
submarine DSV Alvin.
Two of the species live in masses of thousands of individuals, and both have greatly
enlarged eyes on their dorsal surfaces. The other species live solitary lifestyles
and have anteriorly-directed eyes. All six species have lost the dioptric structures
associated with individual facets of a typical compound eye and simply have a smooth
cornea. All have also developed a bright white diffusing layer behind the retina.
Some have photoreceptors with massive rhabdoms consisting of well organized arrays of
microvilli. Both the cell shape and ultrastructure suggest that these shrimp lack the
daily cycling of photosensitive membrane previously thought to be universal. Other
species appear to have been unable to adapt to dim light, are below the quit point,
and have lost their photoreceptors.
Supported by NSF grant BNS 91-11248 and NIH grant EY 03446.
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