Hi,

The theory about whale carcasses used as underwater motels for vent
propagules was first represented by Peter Jumars and Craig Smith of the
University of Washington .
There are some other theories about the migration of vent fauna.
If ineterested go to:

http://library.advanced.org/18828/

and click "mysteries".

Have a nice day, Milan



>From: Peter Whipple <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Deep-sea Vents and molluscan diversity
>Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 20:51:38 -0500
>
>No, he doesn't.  I saw a similar theory, but as I remember, the whale
>carcasses
>were stepping stones from  one hydrothermal area to another.
>
>Peter
>Independence, MO
>
>At 09:21 PM 6/10/99 -0400, Emilio Jorge Power wrote:
>
> >
> > Kay Lavalier wrote:
> >>
> >>  Andrew Vik
> >> Tampa, Fl., USA
> >> [log in to unmask]
> >>
> >> Milan:
> >>
> >> I don't remember where I saw this (probably in The Nautilus), but
> >> hydrothermal species have also been found on sunken whale carcasses,
>the
> >> bones in particular. Apparently, the decay of the cetacean's flesh
>creates a
> >> bacteria rich environment similar to the hydrothermal condition. It was
> >> suggested that these whale graves were the  stepping stones by which
> >> continental shelf organisms traveled to the hydrothermal vents.
> >>
> >> Andrew
> >
> > Hello!
> >
> > You jest of course.
> > --
> >
> > Later,
> >
> > Emilio Jorge Power
> >
> > Please visit;
> > "The Liguus Home Page"
> >
> >
><http://pw1.netcom.com/~ejpower/lighompage.html>http://pw1.netcom.com/~ejp
> > ower/lighompage.html
> > West Melbourne, Florida  USA
>


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