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Apparently, British researchers have discovered thermal vent ecosystems in the Antarctic Ocean.
Of particular interest (to me, at least) was the discrepancy of species found around these events vs. thermal vents in all the other oceans of the world. There has always been some mystery as to how organisms that cannot survive more than a few yards away from a vent can spread from one vent to another. The fact that some species from around the world are found in the Antarctic, while others are not, may suggest more than one method of dispersion. For example, perhaps some eggs or spores hitch a ride on larger organisms, which are known to cross the southern current, while others drift across the open spaces.
What do you think?
Of particular interest (to me, at least) was the discrepancy of species found around these events vs. thermal vents in all the other oceans of the world. There has always been some mystery as to how organisms that cannot survive more than a few yards away from a vent can spread from one vent to another. The fact that some species from around the world are found in the Antarctic, while others are not, may suggest more than one method of dispersion. For example, perhaps some eggs or spores hitch a ride on larger organisms, which are known to cross the southern current, while others drift across the open spaces.
What do you think?