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Alvin's Animals - Previously unknown species discovered

by Kate Madin on 7 Jul 2014
Six iconic animals from Alvin’s visits to seafloor vents: Many crab species live at hydrothermal vents, scavenging and eating other organisms. In 2005 scientists in Alvin discovered these big white crabs with long “fur” on their legs. They are called Kiwa hirsuta. But their nickname is “Yeti crab,” after the fictional “abominable snowman.” This image comes to us courtesy of The Institute Ifremer. Courtesy M. Segonzac (MNHN): Ifremer/A. Fifis
Alvin's Animals - Hundreds of previously unknown species have been discovered by the sub.

Alvin is the U.S. science community’s only human-occupied submersible dedicated to deep-sea research.

Six iconic animals from Alvin’s visits to seafloor vents: In 1986, scientists in Alvin found a new kind of shrimp swarming around vents on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The shrimp (Rimicaris exoculata) have no eyes, but they have a big spot of visual pigment on their backs. Scientists think the spot can detect faint radiation given off by the super-hot vents, helping the shrimp avoid being parboiled. © ÃÂIfremer-Victor/Campagne Serpentine 2007
Six iconic animals from Alvin’s visits to seafloor vents: In 1986, scientists in Alvin found a new kind of shrimp swarming around vents on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The shrimp (Rimicaris exoculata) have no eyes, but they have a big spot of visual pigment on their backs. Scientists think the spot can detect faint radiation given off by the super-hot vents, helping the shrimp avoid being parboiled. © ÃÂIfremer-Victor/Campagne Serpentine 2007


Six iconic animals from Alvin’s visits to seafloor vents: At the Galápagos vents, scientists in Alvin saw big brown mussels (Bathymodiolus thermophilus). Like tubeworms, clams, and many other vent animals, the mussels harbor endosymbiotic bacteria, but they also have a digestive system and can catch and eat prey. © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) http://www.whoi.edu/
Six iconic animals from Alvin’s visits to seafloor vents: At the Galápagos vents, scientists in Alvin saw big brown mussels (Bathymodiolus thermophilus). Like tubeworms, clams, and many other vent animals, the mussels harbor endosymbiotic bacteria, but they also have a digestive system and can catch and eat prey. © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) http://www.whoi.edu/


Close encounters with Alvin: A big red octopus grabbed onto Alvin’s arm at 7,500 feet deep and was discovered to be a new species (Benthoctopus sp.). © Bruce Strickrott/WHOI
Close encounters with Alvin: A big red octopus grabbed onto Alvin’s arm at 7,500 feet deep and was discovered to be a new species (Benthoctopus sp.). © Bruce Strickrott/WHOI


Close encounters with Alvin: In 1967, a swordfish attacked Alvin at 2,000 feet down, became stuck in the sub’s skin, and was brought to the surface with Alvin (and later eaten for dinner). © WHOI Archives
Close encounters with Alvin: In 1967, a swordfish attacked Alvin at 2,000 feet down, became stuck in the sub’s skin, and was brought to the surface with Alvin (and later eaten for dinner). © WHOI Archives


Six iconic animals from Alvin’s visits to seafloor vents: Scientists were astonished to see huge clams living at a depth where they thought no large life could exist. The giant white vent clams (Calyptogena magnifica), reaching up to a foot long, were first seen in 1977 at the Galápagos Rift in the Pacific Ocean. © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) http://www.whoi.edu/
Six iconic animals from Alvin’s visits to seafloor vents: Scientists were astonished to see huge clams living at a depth where they thought no large life could exist. The giant white vent clams (Calyptogena magnifica), reaching up to a foot long, were first seen in 1977 at the Galápagos Rift in the Pacific Ocean. © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) http://www.whoi.edu/


Six iconic animals from Alvin’s visits to seafloor vents: Alvin also found dense groves of six-foot-long red-and-white tubeworms (Riftia pachyptila) at Galápagos Rift vents, growing near vent fluid laden with toxic chemicals. With no mouth or digestive system, the worms provide a steady supply of chemicals to masses of bacteria living inside them. The bacteria use the chemicals for energy and nourish the worms. © WHOI Archives
Six iconic animals from Alvin’s visits to seafloor vents: Alvin also found dense groves of six-foot-long red-and-white tubeworms (Riftia pachyptila) at Galápagos Rift vents, growing near vent fluid laden with toxic chemicals. With no mouth or digestive system, the worms provide a steady supply of chemicals to masses of bacteria living inside them. The bacteria use the chemicals for energy and nourish the worms. © WHOI Archives


Species named for Alvin pilots: In 1979, pilot Dudley Foster used a “slurp gun” suction sampler to capture a fragile, transparent jelly-animal at midwater depths of about 3,280 feet: Bathocyroe fosteri. © Larry Madin/WHOI
Species named for Alvin pilots: In 1979, pilot Dudley Foster used a “slurp gun” suction sampler to capture a fragile, transparent jelly-animal at midwater depths of about 3,280 feet: Bathocyroe fosteri. © Larry Madin/WHOI


Species named for Alvin pilots: In 1988, pilot Ralph Hollis used a net held in Alvin’s manipulator arm to capture a purple fish seen near hydrothermal vents: Bythites hollisi. © WHOI Advanced Imaging and Visualization Laboratory
Species named for Alvin pilots: In 1988, pilot Ralph Hollis used a net held in Alvin’s manipulator arm to capture a purple fish seen near hydrothermal vents: Bythites hollisi. © WHOI Advanced Imaging and Visualization Laboratory


Species named for Alvin pilots: In 2005, pilot Bruce Strickrott captured an eel-like hagfish with a suction sampler: Eptatretus strickrotti. © Karen Jacobsen/Marine Biological Laboratory
Species named for Alvin pilots: In 2005, pilot Bruce Strickrott captured an eel-like hagfish with a suction sampler: Eptatretus strickrotti. © Karen Jacobsen/Marine Biological Laboratory


Species named for Alvin itself: The “Pompeii worm” (Alvinella pompejana) is a furry worm with red tentacles that can withstand the hottest temperatures of any animal, even short periods at 130°F (55°C). © Irene Garcia-Berdeal/WHOI
Species named for Alvin itself: The “Pompeii worm” (Alvinella pompejana) is a furry worm with red tentacles that can withstand the hottest temperatures of any animal, even short periods at 130°F (55°C). © Irene Garcia-Berdeal/WHOI


Species named for Alvin itself: Furry vent snails (Alvinoconcha hessleri) have hair-like projections all over their shells. © Tom Bolmer/WHOI
Species named for Alvin itself: Furry vent snails (Alvinoconcha hessleri) have hair-like projections all over their shells. © Tom WHOI website
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