
Hydrothermal Vent Communities
At hydrothermal vents, chemosynthetic bacteria have evolved to convert dissolved chemicals into the energy needed in order for life to flourish. Thus, these vents represent one of the only places on the planet where life relies not on sunlight for energy, but on the Earth itself.

The deep ocean floor is a place that appears entirely devoid of life. With minimal resources, no sunlight, and only a slow trickle of nutrients making its way down here as 'marine snow', life must find unique ways to exist in the depths. Food is scarce, and with very little energy, survival in the depths is a challenge for any creature. There are some locations in the deep that life has clung to for millions of years, and where food and energy is ever abundant.
the unique life of deep sea vents

Pompeii Worm
Alvinella pompejana
This deep sea species of polychaete worm is an extremophile. It is found only at hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Ocean, and was discovered as recently as 1980 near the Galápagos islands. These worms have evolved some incredible adaptations to survive here. The white fuzz on its back is actually a colony of bacteria, which acts as insulation from the extreme heat of the vents, and the cold beyond. At 13cm long, they are able to have their tail sit in the hot vent fluid, while its head enjoys a more moderate temperature.
In the dark oceanic depths, at 6,500 feet (2000 metres) or more, life is concentrated around hydrothermal vent structures in great numbers. Hot, mineral-rich fluids supply chemicals and nutrients, forming the basis of a a diverse community of specialised organisms.
Over 300 different species have been identified living around hydrothermal vents. 95% of these are were new discoveries, being unique to these communities. Most of them do not resemble any other creature of the planet. Instead, they belong to a divergent evolutionary path which may have splintered off in the distant past.
Unlike whale-fall ecosystems which last for only a few decades, these vent communities are ancient and have had far longer. Many scientists believe that life first began around 3.7 billion years ago in deep-sea hydrothermal vents. This would mean that the organisms here have had billions of years to specialise to these environments. Indeed, this is the case. Take a look below at some of the life that is found at hydrothermal vents.

Deepsea Skate
Bathyraja abyssicola
This close relative of sharks and rays is a frequent visitor to hydrothermal vents. The Nautilus research vessel made a surprising observation at the towering hydrothermal vents near the Galápagos, when the seafloor around them was covered with skate eggs. Normally, the incubation period for deep-sea skates is 4 years. But here, they were using the vents to speed up the process. Even just increasing the eggs' temperature by half a degree will rapidly decrease the incubation period.
