TY - JOUR
T1 - Commensal scale-worms of the genus Branchipolynoe (Polychaeta: Polynoidae) at deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps
AU - Chevaldonné, Pierre
AU - Jollivet, Didier
AU - Feldman, Robert A.
AU - Desbruyères, Daniel
AU - Lutz, Richard A.
AU - Vrijenhoek, Robert C.
PY - 1998
Y1 - 1998
N2 - The polychaete family Polynoidae (scale worms) is very diverse, and particularly well represented worldwide at deep-sea hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, and at sites of decomposing organic matter such as whale carcasses, sunken wood or even experimentally-enriched substrates. To date, more than 40 species (placed in 7 different subfamilies) are described that are only known from such chemosynthetically-driven ecosystems, and many more undoubtedly still await discovery or formal description. Most species are free-living in a wide range of habitats: from high-temperature hydrothermal 'chimney' walls to peripheral habitats with little or no influence from the reduced fluids. In contrast with those free-living species, polynoids of the genus Branchipolynoe Pettibone, 1984 (placed in the monogeneric subfamily Branchipolynoinae) occur exclusively in the mantle cavity of Bathymodiolus-like mytilid bivalves. As opposed to most other polynoids, Branchipolynoe species have well-developed gills in a dorsal position that most likely represent a favourable adaptation to oxygen-depleted environments. The true nature of this 'symbiotic' association is still unclear, but a few facts are known that suggest that worms are opportunistic commensals specially adapted to their hosts: Pettibone (1984) pointed out some morphological features seemingly connected with commensalism, and the protection such a life habit must provide against the numerous predators present at vents and seeps; Desbruyeres et al. (1985) found bits of mussel gills and pseudofaeces in the worms' gut contents; finally, infestation rates vary from up to 6 individuals per host to none, and mussels are known to occur without the worm, but not the contrary (pers. obs.). No report exists yet on a possible negative effect of the worm on its host.
AB - The polychaete family Polynoidae (scale worms) is very diverse, and particularly well represented worldwide at deep-sea hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, and at sites of decomposing organic matter such as whale carcasses, sunken wood or even experimentally-enriched substrates. To date, more than 40 species (placed in 7 different subfamilies) are described that are only known from such chemosynthetically-driven ecosystems, and many more undoubtedly still await discovery or formal description. Most species are free-living in a wide range of habitats: from high-temperature hydrothermal 'chimney' walls to peripheral habitats with little or no influence from the reduced fluids. In contrast with those free-living species, polynoids of the genus Branchipolynoe Pettibone, 1984 (placed in the monogeneric subfamily Branchipolynoinae) occur exclusively in the mantle cavity of Bathymodiolus-like mytilid bivalves. As opposed to most other polynoids, Branchipolynoe species have well-developed gills in a dorsal position that most likely represent a favourable adaptation to oxygen-depleted environments. The true nature of this 'symbiotic' association is still unclear, but a few facts are known that suggest that worms are opportunistic commensals specially adapted to their hosts: Pettibone (1984) pointed out some morphological features seemingly connected with commensalism, and the protection such a life habit must provide against the numerous predators present at vents and seeps; Desbruyeres et al. (1985) found bits of mussel gills and pseudofaeces in the worms' gut contents; finally, infestation rates vary from up to 6 individuals per host to none, and mussels are known to occur without the worm, but not the contrary (pers. obs.). No report exists yet on a possible negative effect of the worm on its host.
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M3 - Article
SN - 0007-9723
VL - 39
SP - 347
EP - 350
JO - Cahiers de Biologie Marine
JF - Cahiers de Biologie Marine
IS - 3-4
ER -