Paralvinella sulfincola
Encyclopedia
Paralvinella sulfincola is a species of worm of the Alvinellidae
family that thrives on undersea hot-water vents. It dwells in the hottest of waters, thriving in temperatures that would kill most other animals. This characteristic makes it an extremophile
or, more specifically, a hyperthermophile
.
Their unique abilities to withstand hot water shooting like a geyser from hydrothermal openings enables the stalk-like worms to prey on bacteria that other animals cannot reach. It is difficult to know precisely which temperatures the worms can tolerate, since the water from vents pours out at temperatures beyond the boiling point, but cools quickly in the chilly sea water.
They belong to the polychaetes group. These worms construct tubes made out of mucus, and are completely mobile. Their appearance resembles that of a tiny red palm tree with red gills.
Alvinellidae
The Alvinellidae are a family of small, deep-sea polychaete worms endemic to hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Ocean. Belonging to the order Terebellida, the family contains two genera, Alvinella and Paralvinella; the former genus contains two valid species and the latter eight...
family that thrives on undersea hot-water vents. It dwells in the hottest of waters, thriving in temperatures that would kill most other animals. This characteristic makes it an extremophile
Extremophile
An extremophile is an organism that thrives in physically or geochemically extreme conditions that are detrimental to most life on Earth. In contrast, organisms that live in more moderate environments may be termed mesophiles or neutrophiles...
or, more specifically, a hyperthermophile
Hyperthermophile
A hyperthermophile is an organism that thrives in extremely hot environments— from 60 degrees C upwards. An optimal temperature for the existence of hyperthermophiles is above 80°C . Hyperthermophiles are a subset of extremophiles, micro-organisms within the domain Archaea, although some bacteria...
.
Their unique abilities to withstand hot water shooting like a geyser from hydrothermal openings enables the stalk-like worms to prey on bacteria that other animals cannot reach. It is difficult to know precisely which temperatures the worms can tolerate, since the water from vents pours out at temperatures beyond the boiling point, but cools quickly in the chilly sea water.
They belong to the polychaetes group. These worms construct tubes made out of mucus, and are completely mobile. Their appearance resembles that of a tiny red palm tree with red gills.