Hi Milan, Your question is very interesting to me and I'd guess others on
the list as well. One of the tricks that may be necessary for these
molluscan species to succeed in a hostile environment (such as a
hydrothermal vent or a hydrocarbon seep) is the ability to attract and
nurture communal bacteria that are able to extract energy from the available
chemicals entering the deep ocean. However I don't think it would work the
same way for a whale fall. I'm not an expert on the microbiology of such
creatures but it seems very likely to me. Do others know more about this
subject? Bert Bartleson
-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Milan Peternel
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 8:01 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: chemosynthetic environment inhabitants
Hi all,
Anyone knows WHY certain molluscan familes prevail in chemosynthetic
environments (hydrothermal vents, cold hydrocarbon seeps, whalefalls...) ?
The majority(?) of gastropods is represented by Clypeosectidae,
Cyathermiidae,
Lepetodrillidae, Neomphalidae, Peltospiridae, Pyropeltidae, Scissurelidae.,
all related to limpets.
OK, there are also Buccinidae, Trochidae and Turridae, but primitive limpet-
related snails prevail.
Among bivalves mytilidae & vesicomyidae seem to outnumber other families.
In case that hydrothermal vents are cradle of life it is reasonable to
expect
that primitive limpet-related gastropods will prevail, but as far as I know
most taxa "returned" to vents from normal environments. Only Neomphalidae
show
long term in situ evolution. So, what enables certain groups of molluscs to
invade chemosynthetic environment?
Milan
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