Swarming Shrimp on Summit of West Mata Volcano

The only abundant hydrothermal macro-fauna was a type of shrimp (Alvinocarid sp.) that swarmed around sites of diffuse venting (probably grazing on microbial mat) at the summit of West Mata volcano. Shrimp are 2 to 3 centimeters long (about 1 inch). Video courtesy of National Science Foundation (NSF), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).


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