Feeding specialization of bresiliid shrimps in the TAG site hydrothermal community

Abstract

Argues that the Atlantic bresiliid shrimps Rimicaris exoculata and Chorocaris chacei from a hydrothermal community on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge feed on exosymbiotic bacteria that form a dense covering on their mouthparts and the inner surface of the carapace. The associated bacterial community includes different morphological forms and types and is full of sulfide crystals from black smokers. Mouthparts of Atlantic hydrothermal bresiliids are hypertrophied and densely covered with setae to enlarge the attachment surface for associated bacteria. -from Authors