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Zbinden, M; Le Bris, Nadine; Gaill, F; Compere, P. |
The shrimp Rimicaris exoculata dominates the megafauna of some Mid-Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal vent fields. This species harbours a rich bacterial epibiosis inside its gill chamber. At the 'Rainbow' vent site (36degrees 14.0'N), the epibionts are associated with iron oxide deposits. Investigation of both bacteria and minerals by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray microanalysis (EDX) revealed 3 distinct compartments in the gill chamber: (1) the lower pre-branchial chamber, housing bacteria but devoid of minerals; (2) the 'true' branchial chamber, containing the gills and devoid of both bacteria and minerals; and (3) the upper pre-branchial chamber, housing the main ectosymbiotic bacterial community and associated mineral deposits. Our chemical and... |
Tipo: Text |
Palavras-chave: Crustacea; Deep sea; Moulting cycle; Biomineralisation; Symbiosis; Iron oxidation. |
Ano: 2004 |
URL: http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/10919/7584.pdf |
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