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 > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com