Giant tube worms (Riftia pachyptila) on a hydrothermal vent. These animals inhabit a tube (white),from which they extend feathery red plumes. The plumes take in chemicals and release waste. The chemicals are passed to colonies of symbiotic bacteria that live inside the worm,which convert the chemicals into nutrients on which the worm feeds. The worms are usually found near hydrothermal vents (black smokers),and are extremely resistant to the heat associated with the vents. Photographed deep in the Pacific Ocean | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / NOAA / COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY / NATIONAL UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM / OAR / C VAN DOVER |
Bildgröße: | 3668 px × 2414 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
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