submarine volcanic vents ecosystems dissolved minerals

Entire ecosystems survive on the seafloor without sunlight

At deep-sea hydrothermal vents, sunlight cannot reach the organisms living around hot, mineral-rich water. Instead, microbes obtain energy from chemical reactions involving substances such as hydrogen sulfide. Larger animals depend on these microbes directly or indirectly. The discovery showed that a rich food web does not always need photosynthesis as its foundation.

Hearing neighbors may use the same sign language

In small, closely connected communities where deafness is common, hearing residents may adopt the sign language used by deaf residents. Deaf people there may be well integrated into community life rather than forming a separate, disadvantaged group.

Young sea slugs can regrow a body from the head

Young Elysia sea slugs can shed a body infected with internal parasites, then regrow a new one from the detached head. The head keeps chloroplasts—parts taken from algae—that let it use sunlight to make food and survive without its digestive system.

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submarine volcanic vents ecosystems dissolved minerals

Entire ecosystems survive on the seafloor without sunlight

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