Novel sulfide-binding mechanism found in deep-sea tubeworms
... that zinc contained in the hemoglobin of deep-sea tubeworms is used to bind and transport nutrients to symbiotic bacteria will be published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science during the week of 14 February 2005. Further research with the hemoglobin could lead to its use in a varie...Giant deep-sea tubeworm's meal ticket comes in as a skin infection
Giant tubeworms found near hydrothermal ventsmore than a mile below the ocean surface donot bother to eat: lacking mouth and stomach,they stand rooted to one spot. Fornourishment, they rely completely onsymbiotic bacteria that live within theirbodies to metabolize t......100 yards away. Von Damm said that heat-tolerant tubeworms found living on Medusa's chimneys, a type known as alvinellids, are commonplace in the equatorial Pacific and thrive on high-iron fluids. Jason also has retrieved two other types of tubeworms--tevnia and riftia--from the vent area. In addition, the...