Whale carcasses support unique biological assemblages in deep sea. The carcasses release reducing chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide and nourish chemosynthesis-based biological communities. Two "stepping-stone" hypotheses regarding whale-fall ecosystems have been proposed. One explains a dispersal pathway for hydrothermal vent/hydrocarbon seep faunae in the deep sea and another an evolutionary process s of vent/seep specialists. Here we summarize the whale-fall ecosystems, especially in Japanese waters and our attempts to verify the hypotheses.
CITATION STYLE
Fujiwara, Y., & Kawato, M. (2010). Whale-fall ecosystems and two “stepping stone” hypotheses. Review of High Pressure Science and Technology/Koatsuryoku No Kagaku To Gijutsu, 20(4), 315–320. https://doi.org/10.4131/jshpreview.20.315
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