Dear Art etc.
    The deep sea, believe it or not, has a very extensive series of
ecosystems.
        In the abyssal plain, there is a large amount of detritus that falls Down.
Included in this are dead fishes, has pelagic invertebrates and tons
(literally) of various diatoms, dinoflagelates, and other forms of
phytoplankton and zooplankton that died and drifted down. Also currents from
shallower waters bring in large amounts of various forms of nutrients. There
is a great number of deep-sea fishes that thrive down there (I mean about 2-4
Km down) There are also a great number of cephalopods that thrive in the deep
water such as the Giant squid (Dr. Roper's squid)
        There are also a series of hydrothermal vents that have a very diverse
ecosystem. The primary producer is from huge numbers of Chemosynthetic
bacteria. The bacteria live in the tissues of huge tubeworms and sponges.
There are quite a few other invertebrates such as crabs, clams and I would
guess other types of mollusks.  The fascinating thing about this ecosystem is
that it lives in complete darkness. The energy needed is from the bacteria
which use the Hydrogen sulfide (I don't know the exact reaction.. is it even
known?), which is released from the vents (black smokers) and convert it into
usable energy.
 I would love to find out the exact diet of members of Pleurotamariiadae and
deep water Epitoniiadae.
 
Sarah (covered with candle wax) Watson