Progress on our Polynoid Pilgrimage

By Jack Gates

This week, the larval lab set out on the final research cruise for our EPR Biofilms 4 Larvae project! We are en route to the East Pacific Rise where the hydrothermal vents lie. While our field experiments on the relationship of microbial biofilms to larval settlement continue, masters student Mel will also be investigating a deep-sea polynoid worm, Branchipolynoe.

Our days-long transit gives us time to prepare for our experiments. Rocking back and forth with the waves in the R/V Atlantis’ main science lab, we have been busy constructing tools, measuring preservative chemicals, and reviewing dive plans. This work involves building ‘sandwiches,’ stacks of square polycarbonate plates. See Mel modelling a completed sandwich to the left.

These will be deployed on the seafloor for larvae to settle upon. Sandwiches deployed last year are waiting for us on the seafloor—these are contained in mesh ‘purses’ that keep larvae from entering but allow microbial biofilms to grow. Using the submersible Alvin, we will remove these purses and deploy microbe-less sandwiches, so we can see how larvae settle on biofilms versus on bare surfaces.


We are also building tube traps: upright cylinders that preserve any small critters descending toward the seafloor. These give us an idea of how many larvae in the water column are going toward the benthos to settle. When we arrive on site, Alvin will descend to thousands of meters depth to deploy these, alongside our sandwiches, amidst the hydrothermal vents.


Alvin will also be collecting samples. Mel is hoping to bring up Polynoids (also known as scaleworms) living inside of deep-sea mussels to investigate their ecology. In addition to studying the adults, we have a worm nursery on board for raising Polynoid larvae. Pressure vessels called HiPPOs allow larvae to be raised in the high-pressure environment they are accustomed to in the deep sea. By observing these little worms, we can better understand their development.

Temperatures are rising as we draw farther south, as is excitement as we near our first dive. We are joined by flying fish, a flock of boobies, and the occasional dolphin, each skimming the surface of the ocean. Soon, we will get to see what lies far beneath. The larval lab is excited to share the rest of our voyage with you!

Jack

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About me: I’m Jack. I’m a WWU student working in the larval lab as an REU intern. As a fan
of creatures and the ocean, I’m excited to share my experience on a deep-sea
research cruise!

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EPR Biofilms4Larvae project is a multi-institutional NSF grant: OCE-1948580 (Arellano), OCE-1947735 (Mullineaux), OCE-1948623 (Vetriani).

Also find us on Instagram! @larvallab, #Biofilms4Larvae

The Inactive Sulfides project is a multi-institutional NSF grant: OCE-2152453 (Mullineaux & Beaulieu), OCE-2152422 (Sylvan & Achberger).

Also find us on Instagram! @jasonsylvan, #LifeAfterVents

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