New species of chemosymbiotic clams (Bivalvia: Vesicomyidae and Thyasiridae) from a putative ‘seep’ in the Hatton–Rockall Basin, north-east Atlantic
Two new species of chemosymbiotic bivalves are described from a poorly localized site in the Hatton–Rockall Basin at 1187–1200 m. The new species Isorropodon mackayi sp. nov. is compared with others of the genus from the North and South Atlantic. A novel anatomical structure, suggested to be a secon...
| Published in: | Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
2013
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315413001136 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0025315413001136 |
| Summary: | Two new species of chemosymbiotic bivalves are described from a poorly localized site in the Hatton–Rockall Basin at 1187–1200 m. The new species Isorropodon mackayi sp. nov. is compared with others of the genus from the North and South Atlantic. A novel anatomical structure, suggested to be a secondary gill, is described. The second bivalve Thyasira scotiae sp. nov. is compared with other species known to inhabit cold seeps in the Atlantic and most resembles Thyasira sarsi . Other than the minor morphological differences, the bathyal range and presence of commensal polychaetes, Antonbrunnia , never reported in T. sarsi support the erection of a new species. In the North Atlantic Isorropodon species and the larger thyasirids, with the exception of T. sarsi , are typically found at hydrocarbon seeps associated with pockmarks and mud volcanoes. If correct, then this is the first indication of active sulphidic seepage in the Hatton–Rockall Basin. |
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